Blood drive for 3-year-old has impressive turnout

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON

Elizabeth Williams prepares David Dunlap to donate blood for his grandson, 3-year-old Jackson Dunlap, during a Red Cross blood drive in his name at the Civic Center. Jackson has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The blood drive at the Civic Center on Friday for 3-year-old Jackson Dunlap, who has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), was a great success, with county residents turning out to both give blood and volunteer for compatibility tests for future bone marrow transplants.

?The response has been overwhelming,? said the toddler?s aunt, Jennifer Fuqua, during the drive. ?We?ve had 60 people already and we?re not even halfway through the blood drive, and that?s not including those who have only come out for the bone marrow tests.?

The Dunlap family worked with local Red Cross director Kathy Nesmith and district representative Alicia Hurshal to arrange the drive.

?Kathy and Alicia helped coordinate it,? Fuqua said. ?They are the two representatives that have helped us do this.?

Fuqua says the blood is much needed, and not only for her nephew, but several other children in Vanderbilt.

?My nephew Jackson has already had two transfusions in a week-and-a-half,? Fuqua said. ?And there are four other children from Warren County, so this goes to support all the children in need, not just Jackson.?

Fuqua says the family wants to thank local citizens for their support.

?It?s been awesome,? Fuqua said. ?The community spirit has been wonderful. We really appreciate it.?