Hoxworth and Make-A-Wish team up to grant a wish for local teen battling leukemia
William’s Wish, a Greater Cincinnati community blood drive, kicked off October 7 as a way to inspire new blood donors to give and save countless lives through his wish.
William, an 18-year-old Fairfield High School senior, has been battling leukemia yet wants to use his illness to take the focus off him and give back to his community.
To give back, William is partnering with Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, to grant his wish and fulfill a heartfelt appeal of holding a month-long blood drive as a thank you to the community for all it has given him during his battle with leukemia. During treatment, William, of Liberty Township, realized how vital blood donations are to kids with critical illnesses like him. He hopes to inspire new blood donors to give and save countless lives through his wish.
“William selflessly chose a wish that will positively impact countless people, and we’re so grateful to Hoxworth for helping make this community blood drive possible,” said Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana President & CEO Stephanie McCormick. “William’s wish really is a shining example of the power of a wish to transform lives and unite communities.”
William’s Wish will be a Greater Cincinnati blood drive that kicked off October 7 with an pep rally at Fairfield High School as part of the school’s homecoming activities as well as a way to honor William.
Community members willing to donate blood or platelets can do so in his name at any of Hoxworth’s seven neighborhood donor centers through October 31. Donors will have the opportunity to write inspirational messages at the donor centers, where they will be amassed and given to William as a present.
To donate blood or platelets in honor of William and to fulfil his wish, donors can schedule an appointment by calling 513-451-0910 or visiting hoxworth.org. Be sure to use the group code of C248 at the time of donation so it gets tracked for William’s Wish.
About Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Research shows that children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their critical illnesses, potentially improving their quality of life and producing better health outcomes. Since our founding in 1983, we have granted 19,000+ wishes for children across our three states. Our vision is to grant every eligible child's wish, and we need your help. To learn more about our mission, fundraising, volunteering, or how to donate, visit www.oki.wish.org
About Hoxworth
Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, was founded in 1938, and serves more than 30 hospitals in 18 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects more than 100,000 units of blood from local donors to help save the lives of patients in area hospitals. Hoxworth Blood Center: Saving Lives Close to Home.
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