By Jessica Dillon
Contributing Writer
Blood and platelet donations are needed to assist Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., president emeritus, in her recovery from multiple myeloma.
Last February, shortly after announcing her decision to retire as university president, Carney sent a letter which revealed her cancer diagnosis.
“It will come as no surprise to anyone that I intend to do everything possible to win this battle with cancer,” Carney said in the letter. “I will also find in this many opportunities to ponder the fundamentals of the faith with which I was gifted in baptism. This is the faith I will do my best to honor and live by in the months ahead. Adding your prayers and support is what I ask and what I will need.”
In the time since, Carney has undergone several cancer treatments. With her battle ongoing, Roswell Park Cancer Institute has requested the university community play a role in her recovery.
Students can aid in her treatment by making blood or platelet donations at Roswell Park’s Donor Center.
The center, located on the main floor of the hospital, is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found at www.roswellpark.org/donorcenter or by calling 716-845-8275.
According to Roswell Park, there are three ways to donate.
The first, whole blood donation, benefits those undergoing cancer treatments that reduce the number of red blood cells. This form of donation takes approximately 45 minutes. A person is eligible to donate whole blood every 56 days.
The second, platelet donation, benefits cancer patients with leukemia, those receiving chemotherapy and those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Platelet donations take approximately two hours. A person is eligible to donate platelets every 2 weeks.
The third, platelet/red cell donation, benefits those who have a compromised ability to produce enough platelets, those undergoing surgery and those who have become anemic. This process takes approximately 2 hours. A person is eligible to donate platelets/red cells every 56 days.
Anita Humphreys, Roswell Park Donor Center Recruiter, said the organization has an online scheduling system (www.roswellpark.org/donorcenter), but encourages people to call to confirm eligibility.
“We appreciate the distance involved and suggest that donors call the Donor Center at (716)845-8275 when possible, so we may facilitate a brief phone pre-screening,” Humphreys said. “We’d hate to have someone find out when they get here that they just got a tattoo and are deferred for 12 months.”
dillonj15@bonaventure.edu
