Teen Organizes Blood Drive, Inspired by Sister Battling Leukemia

In May 2021, Eden Jackson’s 6-year-old sister, Violet, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Violet is undergoing treatment at Omaha’s Children’s Hospital, where she has received pints of blood and platelets through two life-saving transfusions.

“I was thankful the blood was available for Violet when she needed it,” Wendy Jackson, their mother, told CBS. “And I wanted to pay that gift forward, so I scheduled my blood donation.”

This inspired big sister, Eden, too. She organized a community blood drive with the American Red Cross. Blood donation is especially important right now as the country faces a shortage due to the pandemic. 

With 16-year-old Eden’s efforts, the blood drive hit capacity quickly. “It was great to see it all fill up so fast and know that we brought awareness to the need for blood and that it can help people,” said Eden.