Des Moines leukemia patient hosting blood drive to combat blood, platelet shortage
By Abigail Kurten
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Like many of the cancer patients in Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Ethan Kouri has good days and bad days.
For the last five years, he’s been fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML. His better days are the ones when he has access to blood products.
“Once I get my blood, I feel so much better,” Kouri said. “Like, within hours after my platelets, I’m a whole different person.”
But there are days like Wednesday, when his nose bleeds for hours because he doesn’t have enough platelets, meaning his blood can’t clot normally.
One of his nurses, Tira Hauber, has helped Ethan with his treatment for about a year. She says, unfortunately, this is a reality for several of her patients.
“There’s a shortage, and it’s affecting the way that we’re able to treat patients,” Hauber said. “If someone’s platelets are super low – standard protocol here, we could give someone two units of platelets. Well, now, I can only give you one and hope that you don’t drop super low again.”
With the season of giving right around the corner, Ethan and his family are hoping to make a difference: partnering with Lifeserve to host a blood drive at their church. But Ethan’s father, Steve, says in order to make a meaningful difference, they need the help of everyday Iowans and their families.
“It is literally everything,” Steve said of the need for blood. “All of us have it, we all need it.”
The blood drive will take place on Friday, Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Sunshine Open Bible Church. Those interested in donating can book an appointment here, but walk-ins are also welcome.
“Eat your turkey, eat your vittles, come out and give blood afterwards,” Steve said.
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