Children's Hospital in Critical Need of Platelets

Children's Hospital needs your help with platelets and red blood cells.

  Children’s Hospital is in critical need of red blood cells and platelets, officials say. The Blizzard of 2013 did more than bury the Boston area. As a result of the storm, the Blood Donor Center at Children’s Hospital shut down early on Friday and was closed on Sunday, which is usually their busiest day for donors. “Platelets have a shelf-life of three days after testing and processing,” Platelet Recruiter Julie Harrington said. “I think there is a nation wide shortage, because we haven’t been able to receive any.” Platelets are transfused for children getting chemo or transplants. Platelets are the clotting mechanisms, which prevent excessive bleeding. A child getting treatment for bone marrow transplant would receive one bag of …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 20

Lemonade for Children's Hospital, customer appreciation, music and more today in Lexington.

1. Wakeup with 2020 Vision: According to the town website, the 2020 Vision Committee is meeting at 7:45 a.m. this morning at the Town Office Building. 2. Chamber Summer Concert Series: Continues tonight, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Visitor's Center lawn. The weekly concerts are free and open to the public; lawn chairs and picnic baskets are encouraged and those interested can check out entire lineup of performers for the 8-week series at www.lexingtonchamber.org. 3. RCN Announces Customer Appreciation Days with Perks: RCN Boston earlier this week announced the launch of Customer Appreciation Days, a month-long promotion aimed at connecting RCN customers with valuable perks simply for being RCN customers. For more information, click here…

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Survivors' Fashion Show Benefits Cancer Patients

One woman finds ways to support cancer research for children and adults.

Kyle James of Concord learned the power of a smile the hard way - she witnessed Savanna, her four-year old granddaughter, smile while recovering from cancer. James knew doctors had given her a 20 percent chance of survival. Diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone or soft tissue cancer, Savanna underwent surgery at Boston's Children's Hospital to remove a five-inch diameter of her skull and the tumor beneath it. Savanna was treated with six weeks of radiation and 42 weeks of chemotherapy at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before having to wear a protective helmet for a year. She is 10 now and has been cancer free for four years. "Seeing Savanna smile through it all gave me the motivation to raise money for others living …

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