Community blood drive supports 18 month old girl

“She is just a normal one and half year old little girl and she just loves to play and she’s just full of life,” said Susan Layton, Olive’s grandmonther.

18 month-old Olive Fransen was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia at just 9 months old.

“It was very scary we didn’t know what to expect or what it was,”said Layton.

Which is why on Tuesday Oct. 20th a blood drive will be held in her honor.

Right now, Olive receives blood transfusions every three weeks in order to survive.

“It’s kind of like torture almost and there’s nothing you can you do you just stand back and watch them and hold them…it’s pretty painful,” said Layton.

Born premature at just one pound and 12 ounces, her family worried about what was going on.

“I think it was kind of a relief to actually know at that time what she had so we knew where to take it from there,”said Layton.

Diamond Blackfan Anemia is a rare bone marrow syndrome, it causes patients to become severely anemic.

When Olive gets older, she could receive a bone marrow donor to help out, but finding the right match won’t be an easy task.

Which is why in the meantime, her family is working to get her the blood she needs.
“There are very few things that eliminate you from being able to donate,” said Layton.

Olive’s family hopes the blood drive ultimately raises awareness for rare blood diseases and the importance of donating.

The blood drive will be held at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center (1165 E 17th Street, Idaho Falls) from 1 – 6:30 p.m next Tuesday.

To make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS.