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Home » Fitness » Hayden’s Heroes and Players Fitness and Performance team up for blood drive – Frederick News Post

Melissa Golden knows firsthand how important donating blood is.

Golden lost her son, Hayden Boerum, when he was 7 years old to a rare disorder called hystiocytosis. During his treatment, he needed numerous blood transfusions.

Anything that affects your bone marrow, which is what happened to Hayden, you have to have transfusions because your hemoglobin needs to be within a certain range, Golden said.

Golden now has numerous fundraisers every year through her nonprofit Haydens Heroes, including blood drives. Yesterday, the Childrens National Bloodmobile came from Washington, D.C., to take donations at Players Fitness and Performance (PFP) in Frederick.

Golden said that more than 30 people were signed up, and the bus had a constant stream of people in and out from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. She thought that right after the holidays would be a perfect time for a blood drive.

Its a free gift, after the holidays, you can give the gift of love and life, Golden said. It doesnt cost you anything.

Donor Center Coordinator April Tackie said that there is currently a shortage of blood donations. Donations tend to trend downward in the wintertime, thanks to holidays and the flu.

Tackie wants people who are on the fence about donating to know that it doesnt take much time at all. While the entire process takes about an hour, the actual donation itself only lasts about five to 10 minutes.

One donation is enough to save the lives of between four and six children, she said.

Golden wishes more people could put themselves in the shoes of the people who need the blood to overcome their fear of needles.

I get fears, its not my favorite thing in the world, Golden said. But these kids are getting stuck, multiple times until their veins have collapsed, so they can get a quart.

The fundraiser was in partnership with PFP, who have worked with Haydens Heroes several times in the past.

Julia Simpson, director of first impressions at PFP, said that the partnership began with a charity workout at PFP after Haydens passing. Goldens son Adlee worked out at the gym in their kids classes and the PFP community immediately rallied around Golden.

We know when anyones going through a storm, we make sure were there for them. And Melissa didnt even have to say much and it was just known that this is what we do, Simpson said. We rally together as a team and we come up with a way for the community to support them and their family.

Simpson wants anyone to know that PFP is willing to support anyone in need in the community.

PFP is more than just a gym, so if anybody sees any need for serving our community, our doors are always open here at PFP, client or not, she said.

On the bus, donators waited to be screened while several others had their blood drawn. The Bloodmobile, a 40-foot long bus, is very space efficient.

Susanne Quackenbush came out to donate because she sees the importance of blood working in the medical field. She has A negative blood, one of the rarer types.

We cant make [blood], it has to come from us, she said.

Abby Pinto came with her mother Kristen Pinto to donate blood for her first time. She waited to go back to Highpoint College so she could donate for the cause.

Golden was Pintos dance instructor and she knew Hayden his whole life.

I always like helping the family, she said.

Haydens Heroes raises money for research on hystiocytosis in addition to providing for Frederick families who have children with life-altering illnesses.

My goal is before I die I want a cure for my son, Golden said. I want his legacy to be a part of the cure.

Hematologists already tell Golden that Haydens case has helped them save other children because of what they learned from him.

Losing a child, thats the worst life sentence you could ever be given, Golden said. And I just want him remembered. Thats just so important to me.

Golden is grateful that she still has a village rallying behind her and her cause. Working in the emergency department of the Frederick Memorial(Health?) Hospital, she sometimes gets told by people she doesnt even know that they were following Haydens story closely.

We just want to serve, and theres nothing we cant do, especially together, Golden said. The more people that are willing to serve and not need anything in return, were just making the world a better place.

Follow Erika Riley on Twitter: @ej_riley.

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Hayden's Heroes and Players Fitness and Performance team up for blood drive - Frederick News Post

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Home » Fitness » Hayden’s Heroes and Players Fitness and Performance team up for blood drive – Frederick News Post