BATH — Midcoast Maine will honor a young child’s cancer battle with a memorial blood drive Friday, Sept. 28, at the Midcoast Life Church/ Bath Senior Center at 45 Floral St.
Community members are encouraged to come out to donate blood in memory of 4-year-old Bath native Madeline Marzen, who died in October after a brief aggressive battle with a malignant brain tumor. At the first drive, 67 people donated blood in memory of Madeline; with the fall drive, event organizers hope to break 100 people, making it the largest memorial blood drive in Maine to date.
“We were blown away with the outcome of our first drive this past spring,” said her mother, Amie Marzen. “The Red Cross let us know we were close to breaking the record (83) for the largest memorial drive in Maine, so we thought we’d really go for it for pediatric cancer awareness month and have two locations set up to donate.”
Another memorial drive will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Alliance Realty and Chase Custom Home’s, 290 Bridgton Road, Westbrook.
Each blood donation saves approximately three lives, and according to the American Red Cross, 34 percent of blood donations are needed for those fighting a cancer battle. Madeline needed three transfusions/platelets during her brief, two-month cancer battle, which her mother pledged to match to pay forward the blood used by her daughter. Marzen’s donation at the blood drive will be the fourth donation she’s made since her daughter’s passing in October last year.
“During Madeline’s illness, she needed blood or platelets three times total. I remember watching her receive these donations and mentally pledging to pay the donation back, so to speak,” she said. “There are so many kids still fighting, so this blood drive is for them.”
To register to donate blood can visit the American Red Cross’ website and search for “Madeline” to select either drive or can pledge to donate in her name through the Facebook page (Madeline’s Giving Life Drive) or Sleevesup.org (search for Madeline’s Giving Life Drive).
“Every three seconds, someone needs blood; three of those times, it was my daughter,” Marzen noted. “We don’t know who will need it next, but we can donate blood and make sure whoever needs it, has it. Blood cannot be manufactured, so this is an easy way we can take care of our neighbors. I’m forever grateful for how the community has supported my family and hope others will join us in donating blood.”
For more information on the Westbrook drive, call 207-892-2700 or email mshaw@cchfi.com; for the Bath drive, call Marzen at 207-449-2896 or email Amie.marzen@gmail.com. Pre-registration is encouraged for both drives.
