Steven was diagnosed with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in October 2015. During the course of his treatment, he received approximately 15 blood transfusions to give him the strength to endure grueling chemotherapy. “Before receiving blood, he would be totally lethargic,” says his mother, Anne. “And then he would get a transfusion and he’d perk up and be back to his happy, talkative self.”

After nearly four years, Steven finished treatment in February 2019. “It was definitely a relief,” Anne says. “The most challenging days of treatment were in that first year. To not have to worry about high fevers, going to the hospital, not knowing what his blood levels would be … It’s been a lot easier since he ended treatment.”

Now, Steven is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying computer science. Anne continues to advocate for other families in her community whose kids are still fighting cancer. “It’s crazy how many kids have had the same type of cancer in our community,” she says. “We’re very thankful for donations.”

People need people, make a difference in someone’s life by donating blood.

We must rely on each other for the gift of blood, and patients in your community rely on the generosity of Versiti’s blood donors to help. Please consider scheduling an appointment to donate. If this is your first time, donating blood is quick, easy and relatively painless. And, it is a great way to give back and help patients in your community.

View our Blood Donation FAQs for more information.