Stirling Strong blood drive Monday at CHS

In April 2013, Konnor Stirling was an eight grader at Colfax Junior/Senior High School when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Since then, he has undergone several chemotherapy treatments, a bone marrow transplant and received blood and platelets. And he is still fighting.

Stirling was able to come home to Colfax Homecoming weekend following a bone marrow transplant in July.

“That is when they found out the cancer is still there,” said Colfax ASB Director Heidi Lowe.

Stirling travels each week with his parents, Tom and Janele Stirling, to Spokane for treatments, which include chemotherapy, blood and platelets.

The Colfax school community has been rallying around Stirling and striving to support him.

“Anything to do with Konnor, the kids are like, ‘Can we do this? Can we do this?’” said Lowe.

Monday, Colfax Junior/Senior High School will be the site of a blood drive which is sponsored in Konnor’s name. Lowe is encouraging everyone to donate, citing a high need for blood.

“Just last night (Monday) Konnor was at Sacred Heart and they ran out of blood,” she said. “He waited for three hours until more blood came in from Holy Family.”

Lowe said sponsoring the blood drive in the name of Konnor, with the motto “Stirling Strong,” makes it more meaningful for all involved.

“I think it makes them think a lot more about giving blood,” she said. “They know someone who needs blood.”

The CHS Blood Drive is scheduled from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, and it is open to the public. Check in is at the lobby.

Those interested can register at the school, by contacting Lowe at [email protected] or register online at http://www.myinbc.org.

Lowe added there will also be an Apple Cup blood drive challenge, with the Inland Northwest Blood Center competing with Bloodworks in Seattle.

At the same time as the blood drive, a Bone Marrow Registry Drive will be conducted. Lowe said anyone between the ages of 18 and 44 who is medically eligible can register. More information about that can be found at http://www.bethematch.com.