Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive scheduled for April 29

Thanks once again to the efforts of the Christensen family, the second annual Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive will be held Friday, April 29 at the Waukon Wellness Center from 1-5:30 p.m. in the Senior Center in cooperation with Life Serve Blood Center.

Julie Christensen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia November 27, 2019 and was in the hospital until February 14, 2020. She was then able to come home for a short while before she was admitted back into the hospital March 7, 2020 for more chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor in Germany. It was a perfect match. Julie’s stem cells grafted well and she became Leukemia free. During this time, Julie received 45 units of blood and 38 units of platelets.

“Without these stem cells and the other donors, there was no possibility of even hoping for remission,” states Tom, Julie’s husband. “The last year of her life was difficult for her with 138 days at the University of Iowa Hospital, but it also was filled with many blessings.”

With these generous donors, Julie was able to spend more time with her family, see her third grandchild born and hold him several times. In appreciation, her family has organized the Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive to encourage more donors to start and continue to be regular blood donors, giving a gift of life.

“We thank you, all blood donors everywhere, for donating both your time and part of yourself. Without people like you, Julie would not have had the last year of her life,” adds Tom. “She was able to spend time with her family and grandkids. She was able to see her third grandchild be born and got to hold him several times. We encourage you to give blood if you never have given, and to continue giving whenever you can. It is an incredible gift. Again, we thank you.”

The LifeServe Blood Center is always welcoming new blood donors to, especially with the great need for blood during COVID-19. Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives. Blood donors have a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by making a life-saving blood donation. Everyone who registers to donate blood goes through four simple steps during the donation process: registration, donor history and mini-physical, blood donation and snacks.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood at this special April 29 blood drive in honor of Julie Christensen, call 800-287-4903. Appointments are required.