While blood donation is anonymous, the lives it touches are anything but. They are our friends, loved ones and neighbors – including a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) employee.

This January, during National Blood Donor Awareness Month, we’re sharing the story of Kodie and her 16-year-old daughter, Maelie — a powerful reminder of how vital blood donations truly are.

Maelie was diagnosed in March with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer, and through the course of her treatment has received multiple blood transfusions.

During a well child visit in March, Maelie’s doctor found a mass in her abdomen, which turned out to be two very large tumors, totaling 5 pounds.

Maelie underwent surgery to remove the tumors and began an intensive treatment plan that started with 14 rounds of chemotherapy, additional surgery and four to six weeks of radiation. 

“Ewing sarcoma affects only 500 kids in the U.S. per year – less than 1% of childhood cancer diagnoses – and because it’s so aggressive and fast-moving, they have to hit it really, really hard with the treatment plan,” Kodie explained. “So, Maelie has chemo every other week. Because of that, it just drops everything – hemoglobin being the most important as far as blood levels are concerned.”

Since the diagnosis, Maelie has received 11 transfusions of O+ blood and several units of blood platelets – helping keep her strong enough to continue treatment.

“We are now 10 rounds into chemo and our last PET scan showed that things are working,” Kodie said. “Trying not to get ahead of anything, but we’re still grinding away. Every day is different but we’re just taking every day as it comes.”

Despite the intensity of treatment, Maelie has found ways to bring light into the hospital halls. “We love interacting with the staff – Maelie is known for handing out stickers every time we’re inpatient,” Kodie shared.

It all started with a pack of cat stickers gifted by Kodie’s sister. During a fundraiser week at the hospital where Maelie is receiving treatment – “a whole lot of celebs stopped by the room – we got to hand them stickers,” Kodie said, including Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle and Al Roker.

These small moments have helped build lasting bonds. “Just trying to get connected with the people who are caring for us and that has helped a lot,” Kodie said. “That’s the biggest support that has surprised me – how we’ve been able to build relationships with our nurses and our APRN.”

While those connections have brought comfort and strength, what’s keeping them going is their end goal – Maelie ringing the bell to mark the completion of her treatment.

“Maelie has a long path still ahead, but blood donations are essential in allowing her to stay on track with the treatment schedule and stay as healthy as possible between treatments,” Kodie said.

Why your blood donation matters

O+ is the most common blood type and one of the most critically needed.  It plays a vital role in medical care such as surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatments and emergency care. According to the American Red Cross, one in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and cancer patients account for 25% of the nation’s blood supply usage.

According to the American Red Cross:

• Many cancer patients require transfusions.
• Nearly 1/4 of the U.S. blood supply supports cancer patients.
• 1 in 3 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
• Only 3% of the American public donates blood each year.

Donating blood is one of the simplest, yet most impactful ways to help others. Every drop counts and in Kansas, it counts even more. Kansas is experiencing a critical need for blood, and your donation through the American Red Cross goes directly to local blood centers, supporting patients and hospitals right in local communities.

“National Blood Donor Month is a powerful reminder that everyone of us has the ability to save lives. As winter weather and seasonal illnesses often reduce the number of available donors, this month plays a vital role in reinforcing the need for a strong and steady blood supply on the shelves of Kansas hospitals,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director, the Greater Kansas Area Red Cross.

“We are grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas for opening their doors to host employee blood drives, and we invite everyone to roll up their sleeves and make a lifesaving difference. Your donation can be the moment of hope someone desperately needs.”

Whether it’s helping someone through surgery, trauma or cancer treatment, your generosity could be the lifeline someone desperately needs.

“My team asked at the very beginning, what can we do to help. And I said, we need blood,” Kodie shared.

Make an impact: Donate blood

BCBSKS has had a long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross through the Community Relations team and disaster response initiatives. A recent addition has included a partnership with our Corporate Health Services to include quarterly blood donor events sponsored by the American Red Cross. This unique partnership provides assistance to members, the community and employees. Employees also actively participate in the quarterly blood donor events sponsored by the American Red Cross.

Together, we host six blood drives annually, with an average of 40 donors at each event. In the past year alone, BCBSKS employees contributed approximately 240 units of blood—helping Kansans when they need it most.

Kodie said she and her family have learned a lot about how much blood donation matters for those experiencing cancer. Armed with this information, their 19-year-old daughter, Haven, has made plans to donate since her sister’s diagnosis.

“At BCBSKS, we believe in the power of community. Through our partnership with the American Red Cross, we support blood donation efforts that benefit Kansans across the state. When you donate blood, you’re not just giving a pint —you’re giving hope, strength and a chance at recovery,” said Michelle Shima, Team Lead Corporate Health Services.

Make a difference by signing up to donate or spread awareness. The need is urgent and the impact is real.  

Morgan Burnley, Corporate Communications Coordinator