When you come in to donate platelets with ConnectLife, your donation helps save the lives of local patients fighting cancer at our local hospitals. How? Because when someone is going through cancer treatment, it can significantly lower their platelet count - making platelet donations essential for their recovery.
Below, two local cancer patients share their stories and thank the platelet donors that helped them through their cancer fight.
Hannah Strong
Story as told by Hannah's mom, Patti
Hannah was first diagnosed at the age of 11, on June 24, 2022, with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) B-cell, very high risk. She began treatment on June 27, 2022. She had four planned hospital stays, each lasting 4–5 days. Additionally, she had approximately 12 unplanned hospital stays, spending a total of around 120 days inpatient at Oishei Children's Hospital over the two years of treatment. She received approximately 60 blood transfusions (both platelets and red blood cells).
On June 24, 2024, Hannah completed her treatment and then rang the victory bell at Roswell on July 19, 2024.
However, during a routine monthly check up on November 22, 2024—just five months after finishing treatment—we were told that Hannah had relapsed. This time, she would need a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately, her brother, Jackson, is a perfect match and will be her bone marrow donor.
Hannah began treatment again on November 25. She underwent a round of intense chemotherapy, during which she required 35 blood transfusions, primarily for platelets. She then completed a round of immunotherapy last week. On Friday, she had another bone marrow biopsy, and we are currently awaiting test results to confirm that she remains in remission. For leukemia, this is referred to as being MRD-negative.
As long as we receive those results, she will be admitted to Oishei on February 22 to begin the conditioning phase for the bone marrow transplant. This phase includes two days of intense chemotherapy followed by three days of total body radiation, administered twice a day.
The bone marrow transplant (also known as Day 0) was scheduled and completed on February 28. She will remain inpatient for approximately 30–45 days, followed by 100 days of isolation at home. We’ve been told she will need numerous blood transfusions in the first couple of weeks. Around six months post-transplant, she will begin receiving her vaccines again. Her oncologist estimates that it will be about a year from the transplant before she can return to school in person.
We remain positive and hopeful that this treatment will be successful. Thank you so much for donating blood. We have been able to host five blood drives in honor of Hannah Strong and have another one planned for Friday, May 2. Last summer, we had the incredible opportunity to meet several people who had donated blood that Hannah received.
Thank you for helping families like ours.
Jillybean Community Blood Drive - Hannah's Story
Story as told by Hannah
My name is Hannah, and when I was six years old, I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). On the day of my diagnosis, I had to undergo immediate blood transfusions, and the following day, I began treatments. I quickly started losing my hair and experienced persistent fatigue, but I remained in good spirits for my family.
Things went from bad to worse during treatment that resulted in a collapsed lung and unbearable neuropathy. I was placed in an induced coma for a short time to reduce stress and strain on my little body. Recovery took months of physical therapy, unwavering support from my family, and, of course, several blood transfusions.
After two years of pure chaos, it all came to an end in 2008. I was officially in remission, and I am happy to report that all these years later, I am still cancer-free! This year, I will be celebrating my 26th birthday and look forward to furthering my career in holistic medicine, which brings me immense joy.
I am incredibly grateful to the team of medical professionals who helped me win the fight against cancer, but I could not have done it without the generous donation of blood. Blood gave me the chance to keep fighting and stay strong. I would not be here today without the kindness of strangers who took the time to donate. I strongly encourage others to give the gift of life and make blood donation a habit.
This March, we celebrate The Platelet Promise. If you have ever considered donating platelets, now is the time! Platelet donors are needed now more than ever.
Find a platelet appointment at four convenient locations across Western New York including in Williamsville, West Seneca, Tonawanda, and Lockport. Visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org.
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