Community Shows Support at Blood Drive to Benefit 4-Year-Old Gladwyne Resident

Tuesday's blood drive—in honor of a recently diagnosed with Neuroblastoma—was a success, said Red Cross representatives and those who were there to donate. 

Children who are undergoing treatment for Neuroblastoma, along with other types of cancer, frequently need blood transfusions so they can maintain their hemoglobin and platelet levels, according to a flyer being circulated before the drive.

“This little boy goes to preschool with my son,” said Stacey Ladda, who contacted the Red Cross to set up the event. “The nearest sites are 40 minutes to an hour away. I thought, ‘what if maybe we had a blood drive to give blood for him.’ And he obviously can’t use all of it.”

Ladda said she called the Red Cross to set it up and that they were very helpful and eager to hold a drive, especially in the summer.

“Traditionally, every summer there’s a shortage,” Red Cross Senior Manager Ed Mika said at the drive. “People are on vacations, there are no high schools and colleges, and this year it’s especially hot. People have been reluctant to give because of that." 

He said he’d rate the drive a 9 out of 10 overall, and that’s only because some people had a bit of a wait.

“But people were here to save lives—a specific life in this case,” Mika said. “I’d say ¾ of the people were here for that cause.”

The drive goal was 80 units of blood, and the final tally at about 8:35 p.m. was 100 units.

“The support was kind of overwhelming,” said Red Cross volunteer and Haverford resident Douglas Degenhardt. “Some people got a little antsy waiting, but that was only because of their big-heartedness. It’s a good problem to have.”

There was so much community response that the drive, originally set to be held at the Gladwyne Firehouse, had to be relocated before the event to St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne.

Shortly after 5 p.m., a handful of Gladwyne firefighters were donating blood.

“I try to give four or five times a year, just to help out, and this drive is to benefit a young man with cancer in need,” said Gladwyne Fire Deputy Chief Andy Block. “It’s nice to see the community coming together to support the family.”

He said all the firefighters knew about it since it was supposed to be held at the firehouse. Last Thursday afternoon, he said they were notified it had been moved across the street to the larger location—which is a good thing, Block added.

“I think it’s just a great response by the community—we had so much interest we had to change the location,” Ladda said. “I think that says a lot, given that it’s the middle of the summer. I think it’s great that everybody’s rallied around this.”

Roger Ladda, who is Stacey Ladda’s husband, had finished donating blood just after 8 p.m., when the drive officially ended. He said he’d been hoping for a three-digit total of successful donations.

“It’s for a great cause,” Ladda said, “And it’s a great turnout.”

Ladda said his wife, along with several others, worked hard to put the drive together.

“Good service, good team,” he said, adding with a smile, “Good animal crackers.”

And Villanova resident Vanessa Stoloff said she’d received an email notifying her of the drive from a friend.

“It hit close to home because a friend of mine has a son with Neuroblastoma,” Stoloff said.

She said she wasn’t able to donate blood to her friend’s son, as many of her other friends did, because they live in New York. But Stoloff said she was glad to be able to donate to a local child who also needs it. 

“I encourage everyone to come out and help this boy and anyone else who needs blood,” Stoloff added. 

Stacey Ladda said another local drive is tentatively set to be held Wednesday, Oct. 12, though a time and location has not yet been chosen. This will allow people who donated Tuesday to donate again since donors must wait 56 days before donating again, according to the Red Cross website.