Francis Fong, Blood Drive Coordinator of City of Hope Hospital, visited Arcadia High School’s Hope Can Cure Cancer Club on Oct. 15 in H-107 to spread awareness of the need for blood donations for cancer patients. Students interested in exploring the medical field attended the meeting and attentively listened to Fong’s call for blood donors.

When discussing hosting a blood drive next spring with Hope Can Cure Cancer Club, Fong mentioned that there is a shortage in blood donations. Despite 37% of the U.S. population being eligible to donate blood, only 3% actually do. Fong spoke about how blood donations are necessary for certain cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants. He explained how these treatments may damage the bone marrow, leading to reduction of blood cells, thus creating a need for blood donations from eligible donors.

“It’s one of the greatest acts of kindness that takes the least amount of effort,” said Fong.

Julie Fogarty, a blood donor at Stanford Blood Center shared what inspired her to donate blood.

“My family has a complicated history of leukemia across three generations. As a result of our experiences with leukemia, my family has been the beneficiaries of the tremendous generosity of complete strangers who made the decision to be blood donors. One very special instance of that generosity came while my cousin Emily was sick. My mom was trying to make a directed platelet donation (when a friend or family member donates for a specific patient) for Emily, but it didn’t work out that day. She was understandably overcome with emotion at not being able to make the directed donation, and she began to cry in the donation center. Another donor asked my mom about the person she was trying to donate for, and he offered to direct his donation to Emily.”

From the moment Fogarty was eligible to donate blood, she knew that it was something she wanted to do. She wanted to pay forward the incredible gift her family had been given in some of their toughest times.

“I want to give other families cherished time with loved ones. I also do my best to encourage friends and family to become blood donors,” said Fogarty.

She believes that by donating blood, her blood will be there to help others the same way blood was there for her family members, allowing them to have more time together.

“It’s very easy. You roll up your sleeve, you feel a slight pinch, and you’ll forget about it in two seconds. The rest of the time you’re going to be sitting in a nice comfortable chair. And then before your favorite song is done on your Airpod, you’re finished!” said Fong.

Fong shared a personal experience about how blood donations influenced his life. Diagnosed in Dec. 2008 at 8-years-old, Fong’s son battled with leukemia.

“When [my son] was admitted to the hospital, we [had] just got him a puppy,” said Fong.“And he couldn’t go home and see him. He asked me when he could go home, and I said, ‘Well, your blood count isn’t high enough. You need a blood transfusion.’”

But because he had access to both blood donations and treatments, Fong’s son was able to recover and finally go home. He was able to grow up, go to high school, learn to drive, go to prom, and experience the small joys in life that many take for granted.

“Your blood donation doesn’t just help kids and people today,” said Fong. “You have the power of bringing forth a whole generation of people. A whole generation.”

“Courage + Hope = Possible” was Fong’s son’s slogan when he was battling cancer. It shows that when courage meets hope, anything is possible.

“It takes courage for you to donate blood. I always say that the City of Hope Blood Donor Center is the place where courage meets hope and kindness,” said Fong.

Fong urges students to realize they have the power to change the future. As a final parting word, Fong emphasizes the impact and importance of taking action as an individual.

“It all begins with you,” said Fong.