A Maize community blood drive will be hosted by American Red Cross and Even Mermaids Get Leukemia in honor of senior Hannah Soderstrom. It will be on Feb. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Maize United Methodist Church.

Soderstrom, who is two years post chemotherapy for leukemia, has hosted nine drives that collected 336 units of blood so far. She continues to help the cause in hopes for creating a change.

“I’ve had over 50 blood transfusions during my treatment and I’ve had to sit in the hospital and wait for someone to donate blood just so I could get it,” Soderstrom said. “My goal with the blood drives is just so nobody has to wait for blood.”

Due to COVID-19, the need for blood is higher than in a normal year because of a lack of numbers showing up to blood drives. Tiffany Davison of the Red Cross said those who have had COVID-19 should also donate.

“Right now, COVID-19 survivors are needed to donate their plasma to help patients currently battling the virus,” Davison said. “Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.”

With each donation, people who have had coronavirus can help up to four patients recover from the virus. 

As an incentive to donate blood this Saturday, American Red Cross is sending every donor who registers online a five dollar gift card to Amazon via email. Even Mermaids Get Leukemia is also hosting a giveaway to give donors the opportunity to win a Kendra Scott necklace. To sign up, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the code “MAIZEKS.”

When going out to donate, the organizations are asking that all donors wear a mask and that they do not come if they have been showing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past two weeks.

If a community member would like to host a blood drive through American Red Cross, Davison said it is easy. Community members can contact her at [email protected].

“I would be happy to help [community members] learn more [about hosting a blood drive],” she said. “It is a great opportunity to use your leadership skills while helping our hospitals and patients in need.”