Argie's Wife
02-15-2011, 04:17 PM
Wednesday blood drive planned to salute baby born at 1 pound, 5 ounces
By Adam Drapcho
Feb 15, 2011 12:00 am
TILTON — Heather Bishop-Dumka knew she needed to do something unconventional for Brynne Salmon in honor of the birth of her friend's first child. After all, when Brynne married Andrew Salmon, she requested that her bridal shower guests bring donations to the New Hampshire Humane Society instead of gifts for her.
So, in celebration of the birth of Lauryn Salmon, Bishop-Dumka has organized a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, February 16, from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Pines Community Center on Summer Street in Northfield.
Brynne Salmon is a dispatcher working for the Tilton Police Department and is married to Andrew Salmon, a Tilton police officer. Lauryn is their first child. Bishop-Dumka said the Salmons are selfless people and she figured they would appreciate something such as a blood drive more than they would material gifts. Unfortunately, though, the blood drive represents more than a considerate gesture.
"Lauryn was born four months premature," Bishop-Dumka said. The infant, who would have been born on February 27 if she had been carried full term, weighed one pound, five ounces when she was delivered. Through collective care of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Boston Childrens' hospitals, and thanks to the tiny girl's fighting spirit, Lauryn has grown to quadruple her original weight. However, that achievement has only been possible through surgeries and multiple blood transfusions.
"She's doing well, she's come a long way," said Brynne Salmon.
Lauryn was born at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where she's lived her entire life so far with the exception of a five-day stay at Boston Children's Hospital where she had heart surgery. Another round of heart surgery is expected, said Salmon, and Lauryn will also likely require surgery on her eyes.
Lauryn has the relatively rare blood type of B positive. Bishop-Dumka said the current levels of donated blood is low as a result of the discouraging effect winter weather has had on recent blood drives. That's bad news for Lauryn Salmon and others like her, who depend upon a ready supply. "I would hate for Lauryn to have to go into surgery and not have any of her blood type because people have not donated enough," Bishop-Dumka said.
Bishop-Dumka knows what Brynne and Andrew are going through, having herself given birth to a premature child. "I know how scary and frustrating it is," she said. She also is able to say that her son, who was once fragile and confined to intensive care units, has grown into a nine year-old full of joy and mischief.
"I figured giving blood would be the best gift to give," she said. Those who agree can visit givelife.org to schedule an appointment to donate at the drive or find another local event if the February 16 date is inconvenient.
Asked about the blood drive, Salmon said, "I think it's amazing. It's the best gift we could ask for, the gift of life."
Lauryn, the baby in this article, is the grand-daughter of a dear friend of mine. If you can, give the gift of life - give blood. THANK YOU!
By Adam Drapcho
Feb 15, 2011 12:00 am
TILTON — Heather Bishop-Dumka knew she needed to do something unconventional for Brynne Salmon in honor of the birth of her friend's first child. After all, when Brynne married Andrew Salmon, she requested that her bridal shower guests bring donations to the New Hampshire Humane Society instead of gifts for her.
So, in celebration of the birth of Lauryn Salmon, Bishop-Dumka has organized a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, February 16, from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Pines Community Center on Summer Street in Northfield.
Brynne Salmon is a dispatcher working for the Tilton Police Department and is married to Andrew Salmon, a Tilton police officer. Lauryn is their first child. Bishop-Dumka said the Salmons are selfless people and she figured they would appreciate something such as a blood drive more than they would material gifts. Unfortunately, though, the blood drive represents more than a considerate gesture.
"Lauryn was born four months premature," Bishop-Dumka said. The infant, who would have been born on February 27 if she had been carried full term, weighed one pound, five ounces when she was delivered. Through collective care of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Boston Childrens' hospitals, and thanks to the tiny girl's fighting spirit, Lauryn has grown to quadruple her original weight. However, that achievement has only been possible through surgeries and multiple blood transfusions.
"She's doing well, she's come a long way," said Brynne Salmon.
Lauryn was born at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where she's lived her entire life so far with the exception of a five-day stay at Boston Children's Hospital where she had heart surgery. Another round of heart surgery is expected, said Salmon, and Lauryn will also likely require surgery on her eyes.
Lauryn has the relatively rare blood type of B positive. Bishop-Dumka said the current levels of donated blood is low as a result of the discouraging effect winter weather has had on recent blood drives. That's bad news for Lauryn Salmon and others like her, who depend upon a ready supply. "I would hate for Lauryn to have to go into surgery and not have any of her blood type because people have not donated enough," Bishop-Dumka said.
Bishop-Dumka knows what Brynne and Andrew are going through, having herself given birth to a premature child. "I know how scary and frustrating it is," she said. She also is able to say that her son, who was once fragile and confined to intensive care units, has grown into a nine year-old full of joy and mischief.
"I figured giving blood would be the best gift to give," she said. Those who agree can visit givelife.org to schedule an appointment to donate at the drive or find another local event if the February 16 date is inconvenient.
Asked about the blood drive, Salmon said, "I think it's amazing. It's the best gift we could ask for, the gift of life."
Lauryn, the baby in this article, is the grand-daughter of a dear friend of mine. If you can, give the gift of life - give blood. THANK YOU!