New Information Below: URGENT Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registration Drive

Texas Border Business

Many of you know Davis Rankin, long time talk show host on KURV Talk-Radio and his wife, Shan Rankin, the director of the South Texas Historical Museum in Edinburg. Their wonderful son, Marshall who just recently graduated from high school is suffering froma very serious condition;a rare disease which requires bone marrow transplant.

In addition, most of you also know of 13th Court of Appeals Justice Dori Contreras Garza who a few days of the birth of her first grandchild, Aidan. Both Aidan and Marshall are in need of bone marrow transplants.

These two children in our community need bone marrow transplants. Your assistance is needed in finding a match. A Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registration Drive is being held Sunday, March 15^th from 10 am – 3 pm in St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall at 2500 North 10^th Street in McAllen.

Be a Hero! This could, literally, be a life saving event. Please come and donate your blood. Less than an hour of your time and a little blood could save our children’s lives or others who face life-threatening illnesses.

The two boys who could benefit are: Aidan Howard, six-months old. He is the son of Lisette & Scott Howard. He has JMML (Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia) He is the grandson of McAllenite Dori Contreras Garza, who is a Justice on theTexas13^thCourt of Appeals. A bone marrow donor match must be found for Aidan before his first birthday.

Marshall Rankin, 18 years old. He is the son of Shan & Davis Rankin of McAllen. Marshallhas aplastic anemia, an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the bone marrow and prevents the body from making new blood cells.Marshallis the grandson of Charlie & Billie Rankin ofMcAllen.

Contact Ben Abbitt at ben@rgvatl.com or call Rosalie Weisfeld at 956.793.5814 rweisfeld@rgv.rr.com to schedule an appointment between 10 am – 3 pm to donate your blood. Walk-ins are also welcome!

In an effort to accommodate as many people as it is possible, and to minimize any type of frustrations, please take note of the multiple locations across the Valley and hours for United Blood Services-Rio Grande

The centers in McAllen and Harlingen are open 6 days a week and are fully stocked to accommodate anyone who would like to join the marrow registry or donate blood or platelets.

Below find United Blood Services fact sheet that contains address, hours and a phone number where they can be reached.

UNITED BLOOD SERVICES

Service to the Community

·         United Blood Services supplies more than 35,966 units of blood and blood components a year to all of the hospitals throughout the Rio Grande Valley..

·         United Blood Services must collect 175 units of blood a day to meet the need of area patients.

·         United Blood Services is a private, nonprofit community agency that was established in 1943.  It has been serving the Rio Grande Valley for more than 55 years.

Service Credentials

·         The U.S. Food and Drug Administration federally licenses United Blood Services..

·         United Blood Services is inspected and accredited by AABB and is as a member of American Association of Blood Banks.

Educational Services

·         United Blood Services offers a wide variety of educational services that inform and educate the public and health professionals about issues related to blood donation. 

Locations

·         United Blood Services has blood donation centers located at

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