Antioch Holds Blood Drive for Sick Child

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive in Antioch on Nov. 30 in honor of a 4-year-old Brentwood boy who will need blood for a heart and kidney transplant, according to blood drive sponsor Tim Kyle.

Aaron Tanner was born with only the right side of his heart working. In the past four years, he has undergone three open-heart surgeries and recently found out that he also needs to have a kidney transplant, which will have to be done at the same time as his heart transplant.

A double organ transplant in a 4-year-old child is one of the rarest surgeries performed, according to a Web site set up to help Aaron's family. The Web site is http://saveabrokenheart.com/ .

According to the Red Cross, someone needs blood every two seconds. Blood is given by volunteer donors and has a limited shelf life, which means the supply has to be continually replenished in order to meet patients' needs.

People who want to donate blood must be at least 17 years old, or 16 if they have permission from a parent or guardian, must meet height and weight requirements and should be in good health.

The blood drive will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Eastside Church of Christ at 1020 East Tregallas Road in Antioch.

Drop-ins are welcome, but people can also call (800) 448-3543 or visit HelpSaveALife.org/NC to schedule an appointment, Kyle said. The sponsor code for online appointments is "Antioch."