Blood drive/ bone marrow search this Saturday
For the sixth consecutive year, the Conidaris family will be setting up camp at the Lani Kai Island Resort at 1400 Estero Blvd. this Saturday (July 16) to help one of their own and others in the process. That’s when and where they will be hosting the annual Kenny Conidaris Beach Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Search.
Since 2007, Lani Kai has played host to the benefit. This time, the fund- raiser will be held as an all-day event from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kenny, an Estero High School graduate and son of Ken and Kathy Conidaris, has a rare and life-threatening disease called severe aplastic anemia, which requires him to have blood work done monthly to monitor all his blood counts.
“We like to do the blood drive because we want to push the awareness, so people know how important donating blood is,” said Kathy. “I didn’t understand it or know anybody who needed blood transfusions until Kenny got sick. It actually saves lives.”
The blood drive and bone marrow search will again be a community event with food, prizes and fun. Regarded as Kenny’s five-year survival anniversary, All blood donors will receive a “Donors Rock” t-shirt and will be entered into a raffle to win prizes, including a golf cart as grand prize.
“This year, with the assistance from our sponsors, we will be having a drawing for a chance to win a golf cart and many other great prizes donated by our sponsors. Anyone who makes an attempt to donate blood and/or registers into the bone marrow registry will be allowed to enter into the contest,” said Kathy. “We have stays at SunStream properties, a weekend stay at the Lani Kai and many gift certificates from local restaurants and stores around town.”
Lani Kai officials have purchased the golf cart at wholesale cost from Golf & Electric Vehicles on Alico Road in Fort Myers.
Budweiser is the main sponsor for this year’s drive and search. Ameridry (billboard donations) is another large reputable sponsor and Florida Blood Centers (website YouTube) will be the blood bank for the event.
At least three bands and other entertainers will be donating their time and musical talents to the cause. A200, Tropical Breeze and Push will be playing on Lani Kai’s beachfront stage during the day.
“The Cincinnati Firemen will also be flying in just to make a performance for Kenny that weekend,” said Kathy. “We’ll also have a sand sculptor that will be coming on the beach and doing a sculpture in honor of Kenny. We’ll also have a hula-hoop contest, balloon toss and other games.”
Kenny, who will turn 18 years old on July 28, will be attending Edison State College with hopes of becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. He is currently in remission, though he could possibly need a transplant in the future to cure his disease once and for all.
“He is going to go into the EMT paramedic/ fire fighter program because he wants to give back to the community. That’s a really big thing for him. We’re thrilled, and he’s so excited to able to get into that medical field and help save lives,” said Kathy. “I’m so proud of him. He has come such a long way.”
Severe aplastic anemia puts victims at risk for life-threatening infections or bleeding. It is a disease where the bone marrow stops making enough red and white blood cells and platelets for the body. The only treatment that can cure the disease, or manage it long term, is a bone marrow transplant.
To compound that, Kenny also has paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a disease that can stem from aplastic anemia and occurs when abnormal blood-forming stem cells produce red blood cells with a defective protective layer. It’s a pre-leukemia state, said Kathy.
Besides his parents, the Florida native lives with three sisters and three dogs and loves all sports, fishing, four-wheeling and NASCAR, He has been working for Publix SuperMarkets for 4 years.
“We’re very pleased to be a part of such a wonderful outreach to help the cause, because blood donations and bone marrow registrations are vital to people who need them,” said Pat Michaels, executive director of public relations for Florida Blood Centers. “Kenny Conidaris is a prime example of someone who is alive today because of the graciousness of the donors who have helped.”
Michaels pointed out all blood types are needed.
“If you don’t know your blood type, the easiest way to find out is by donating blood. Florida’s Blood Centers must make sure that all hospitals have an adequate supply at all times,” he said. “Donations will go to local hospitals served by Florida’s Blood Centers within the next couple of days to patients who may need immediate transfusions.”
In the past, Kenny’s father has referred to his son’s treatment as putting tape on a hose that leaks. The tape could hold forever or the hose could explode. But, he has always remained optimistic.
“One bone marrow transplant could save Kenny’s life,” he said last year.
“Our lives changed with a prick of a finger,” said Kathy. “My father-in-law (Lani Kai Owner Bob Conidaris) has really helped us with this whole event every year.”
Kenny’s mom also mentioned Bob’s deceased wife, Grace, as being a huge help during the past drives.
“When Kenny graduated, he said, ‘I wish grandma could see me now. She would be so proud of me,'” said Kathy.
The statistics are staggering for the many others like Kenny Conidaris that are in need of a transplant in order to survive. Every day, thousands of patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia and other life-threatening diseases hope for a bone marrow donor who can make their transplant possible. Seventy percent of patients do not have a donor in their family and must depend on others who want to donate.
The National Marrow Donor Program helps people who need a marrow or blood cell transplant. The organization connects patients, doctors and donors to resources they need to help more people live longer, healthier lives. For more information, log onto www.BeTheMatch.org.
“Everybody should come out and donate and have a good time,” said Kathy. “It’ll be a big party on that day.”
BOX
Who blood drives benefit
n A blood drive saves lives pure and simple. Every time someone donates just one pint of blood, it can save 3 lives. Blood donations are always in need, especially in the summer months. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types, especially type O negative.
n Cancer, transplant and trauma patients as well as patients undergoing open-heart surgery may require platelet transfusions to survive.
n Donating blood or bone marrow can save many lives including your family and loved ones … maybe even yourself.
Please visit Kenny’s Story. www.caringbridge.org/visit/kennyconidaris11
. Sponsorship Packages are available and all Donations of raffle items and/or gift certificates would be greatly appreciated to make our event a success. We are trying try raise enough money to be able to give away a large item like a car or cash prize for 1 lucky donor and possibly several other large prizes to others. Everyone donor will receive a t-shirt.
As you know during this time of the year, blood donations drop, but the need never ends.
In the past, Kenny’s father has referred to his son’s treatment that he has to undergo as putting tape on a hose that leaks in that the tape could hold forever or the hose could explode. But, he has always remained optimistic.
“One bone marrow transplant could save Kenny’s life,” he said last year.
“Many people want to be registered to donate blood marrow, but don’t know how,” said Nancy Hendrick, community relations coordinator for the Lee Memorial Blood Center. “That’s why we’re holding a bone marrow search and blood drive. We want to help increase community awareness of the need for blood and marrow donors, and it would be awesome if we could find a match.”
The numbers are staggering. Lee Memorial Health System officials say more than 10,000 people each year deal with a life-threatening disease and could benefit from a marrow transplant. These tissue types are inherited, but 70 percent of patients do not have a matched donor in their family. Kenny is among that 70 percent and is relying on the National Marrow Donor Program to find a match.
Anyone age 18 to 60 who is willing to donate to any patient in need and meets the health guidelines can join the Bone Marrow Donor Program registry.
The process is as easy as collecting cells from a prospective donor’s mouth with a cotton swab and having it analyzed to determine if that person is a match with any patient in the registry. The majority of donations are done without surgery.
For more information on the Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Search, call the Lee Memorial BloodCenter at 334-5333.
BOX
Who blood drives benefit
– A blood drive saves lives pure and simple. Every time someone donates just one pint of blood, it can save 3 lives. Blood donations are always in need, especially in the summer months. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types, especially type O negative.
– Cancer, transplant and trauma patients as well as patients undergoing open-heart surgery may require platelet transfusions to survive.
– Donating blood or bone marrow can save many lives including your family and loved ones … maybe even yourself.