Mother Pleads Blood Donors to Give for the Holidays
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: December 17, 2012
PEKIN - Countless people worldwide depend on the blood giving campaigns to live, including 3-year-old Keegan Smallwood.
For the most part, Keegan is a typical three-year-old boy. He loves sports, games, and is smart as a whip. But Keegan's had a rough year. Since March, He's battled leukemia and spent much of his time receiving treatment in Memphis and Peoria.
"Yea it's been quite the crazy year so far with cancer treatments," said Deidre Smallwood, Keegan's mother.
The crazy year has almost meant terrifying moments for this mother and son. At one point, Keegan's blood levels reached incredible lows.
"Keagan's hemoglobin was at 4.6. Now the normal low is 10. So he was in desperate need of blood," said his mother.
"Then I went to the hospital where they stuck needles---that whole needle. And they stuck it in my arm," Keegan said.
Leukemia, a blood cancer, means Keegan depends on blood transfusions. His mom knows her little boy, who loves Spiderman and baseball, couldn't live without the help of donors.
On Wednesday, the American Red Cross will host its ninth annual 12 Hours of Giving Campaign in Peoria. Smallwood is begging for people to give.
"If it wasn't for people giving blood and donating to the extent that they have, Keegan wouldn't be here," she said. "It means everything that people take the time and make the effort to go donate blood or donate platelets because it is life giving to him. It's unimaginable if they didn't do it because the alternative is not a happy ending."
Keegan will continue treatment for the next two years.
The 12 Hours of Giving Campaign will take place at the Blood Donation Center on 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria. Doors will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For the most part, Keegan is a typical three-year-old boy. He loves sports, games, and is smart as a whip. But Keegan's had a rough year. Since March, He's battled leukemia and spent much of his time receiving treatment in Memphis and Peoria.
"Yea it's been quite the crazy year so far with cancer treatments," said Deidre Smallwood, Keegan's mother.
The crazy year has almost meant terrifying moments for this mother and son. At one point, Keegan's blood levels reached incredible lows.
"Keagan's hemoglobin was at 4.6. Now the normal low is 10. So he was in desperate need of blood," said his mother.
"Then I went to the hospital where they stuck needles---that whole needle. And they stuck it in my arm," Keegan said.
Leukemia, a blood cancer, means Keegan depends on blood transfusions. His mom knows her little boy, who loves Spiderman and baseball, couldn't live without the help of donors.
On Wednesday, the American Red Cross will host its ninth annual 12 Hours of Giving Campaign in Peoria. Smallwood is begging for people to give.
"If it wasn't for people giving blood and donating to the extent that they have, Keegan wouldn't be here," she said. "It means everything that people take the time and make the effort to go donate blood or donate platelets because it is life giving to him. It's unimaginable if they didn't do it because the alternative is not a happy ending."
Keegan will continue treatment for the next two years.
The 12 Hours of Giving Campaign will take place at the Blood Donation Center on 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria. Doors will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
