Noah Needs Your Help, July 29, From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Noah and his mom Alaina at a Pop Warner football game last season.

Noah Ramos, who recently underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in his ongoing battle with aplastic anemia, still needs many more blood transfusions to aid in his full recovery from this life-threatening disease.

In response, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, in conjunction with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, will be hosting a blood drive Thursday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, located at 2645 Amherst St. in La Verne.

To give blood you must:

1. Be at least 17 years old
2. Weigh at least 110 lbs.
3. Bring a valid picture I.D.
4. Have something to eat & drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids prior to donating
5. Feel well the day you donate

Aplastic anemia is an anemia due to a decrease in the bone marrow’s production of white cells (that fight infection) red cells (that carry oxygen to all parts of the body) and platelets (that let the blood clot naturally). The disease can occur spontaneously or be triggered by certain medications or toxic substances.

It was almost a year ago when Noah, then a fifth grader at La Verne Heights and a Pop Warner football player, was first diagnosed with the condition. On his first day back to school, Noah had become feverish and started vomiting. Two days later when he was back at school, he suffered a nosebleed that wouldn’t stop.

Based on the bruising and dots on Noah’s body, his family physician suspected a serious condition and recommended more specialized testing at Children’s Hospital. Its tests produced the aplastic anemia diagnosis.
 
Since that diagnosis, Noah has received continuous cycles of chemo treatments and blood transfusions, and most recently, the bone marrow transplant.

If you meet the above criteria for donating blood, please try to stop by and help Noah in his time of need.