Sunnymead Elementary School first-grader with leukemia inspires more than 100 to donate blood.
By: Donna Lukiw
Annie Ryan, a Sunnymead Elementary School first-grader, sat at a table with her pillow, exhausted after a session of chemotherapy for her leukemia, while more than 100 Hillsborough residents, parents and teachers donated blood in her name during a blood drive at the school on Dec. 14.
Andy Ryan, Annie’s father, said Annie is currently being treated in an outpatient program for her leukemia at The Children’s Hospital at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick and has already gone through two phases of chemotherapy.
Since Annie will probably need a blood transfusion in the near future, her family and friends wanted to sponsor a blood drive in her name.
Last week’s drive collected 77 pints of blood and drew in 111 donors. Those who could not donate blood contributed to the event by baking goods and offering their time to baby-sit.
"I think the family was thrilled at the turnout and show of support by their community," said, Lillian Gatti, donor recruitment specialist with New Brunswick Affiliated Hospitals Blood Center. "Holiday season is traditionally a critical time for blood shortages. The kindness and generosity of the Hillsborough community has ensured that there will be additional blood on the shelf in our local hospitals."
Ms. Gatti said the blood collected on Dec. 14 will benefit Annie and any other patients who are in need of blood transfusions.
Mr. Ryan said the third phase of Annie’s chemotherapy is expected to last for about 49 days, but the entire treatment she’ll be undergoing takes about two and a half years. Annie has already spent eight days in a hospital undergoing treatment and will continue to make frequent visits to the hospital.
"She’s in her third phase of chemotherapy now," Mr. Ryan said. "This phase is the most intense and is really going to make her sick. She’ll probably need a blood transfusion."
Mr. Ryan said he and his wife, Michele, have been dealing with Annie’s diagnosis as best as they can and have been keeping busy with three of their other children Jack, 10, Maggie, 8, and Drew, 4.
"She been amazing, unbelievable," Mr. Ryan said about Annie. "She’s been really tough. She’s really good about it and we couldn’t be more proud of her."
Mr. Ryan said oncology doctors from St. Peter’s University Hospital Lawrence Ettinger and Doug Cipkala and nurse Alice Ettinger have been treating Annie.
During the blood drive, free homework passes were given to all Sunnymead students whose parents donated blood and a raffle was held for a gift certificate to a local restaurant for all of the adults who donated blood.

