Blood transfusions help Cecil Township child in cancer battle
Two years ago, Allyson Culp took her son to the emergency room for what she believed was a bad case of pneumonia.
However, it turned out to be much more severe.
Parker Culp had been diagnosed with stage IV nephroblastoma, a rare kidney cancer, at the age of 3.
“Obviously, that is your worst nightmare as a parent,” Allyson, of Cecil Township, said. “It was a pretty life-altering experience.”
Fortunately, this particular form of cancer, also known as Wilms Tumor, has a favorable prognosis.
“Even though he was stage IV, he was looking at a 90% survival rate with chemotherapy and radiation,” Allyson said.
Today, 5-year-old Parker is in remission and preparing to go to kindergarten in the fall. A key part of getting him there was blood transfusions.
Allyson estimates her son had at least three full blood transfusions over the course of his treatment, and two platelet transfusions.
“Getting the blood really helped him perk up, and he would feel so much better afterwards,” Allyson said.
During the month of April, which is National Volunteer Month, Allyson is working with Vitalant to help encourage others to donate.
Maya Santana, communications manager for Vitalant in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, said Parker’s experience highlights the importance of blood donation.
“Every two minutes someone does need a blood transfusion. There is no substitute for human blood. It can’t be manufactured,” Santana said.
Allyson said her father always encouraged the family to donate blood. Through two pregnancies, she had fallen out of the habit, but Parker’s bout with cancer has her setting reminders to donate every eight weeks.
“It really kicked me into gear. We have to get back on it,” Allyson said.
While teaching ninth grade at Keystone Oaks High School, Allyson has heard hesitant students express a distaste for needles as a common reason for not donating.
“There is probably not a person on earth who likes needles. Truly, it is so minimal what you go through as a donor compared to the people that need the blood,” Allyson said. “I’ve seen the little 3-year-old boy go from exhausted and pale to back to full of energy. It is such a little commitment from you for something that helps somebody so much.”
If you donate at a Vitalant blood drive between April 6 and April 30, you will be entered to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards for groceries. Those interested can register for a local blood drive at vitalant.org.