Upcoming blood drives at Offutt and in Bellevue honor local infant Published Jan. 4, 2013 By 2nd Lt. Carly Costello 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The American Red Cross is holding blood drives at Offutt Air Force Base and in the Bellevue community during January and February in honor of 11-month-old Emily Stephenson. On Feb. 3, 2012, Emily was born to Amy and Air Force Staff Sgt. Wayne Stephenson, of the 55th Intelligence Support Squadron. It wasn't until the day after she was born did her parents learn that something was wrong. Two days later, Emily was transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she had her first blood transfusion at seven days old. On that day, a week after Emily was born, the Stephensons learned that their daughter had spherocytosis, a genetic blood disorder that destroys red blood cells and causes severe anemia. Because of this disease, Emily requires blood transfusions nearly every month, something that wouldn't be possible without donated blood. Seeing firsthand how donated blood can help save lives, Emily's parents decided to team up with the American Red Cross to hold blood drives in their local community. "My wife came to me with the idea and we ran with it," Staff Sgt. Stephenson said. "We thought that we could get more blood donors out if they got to meet just one beautiful little girl out of the thousands of blood recipients that they would be helping." This is the first time blood drives have been held in Emily's honor, and her parents hope that her story will inspire others to donate. Thanks to donated blood, Emily is able to do things that most babies her age enjoy like exploring and giving high-fives, her parents said. "She lives a healthy, happy, reasonably normal life because of amazing neighbors and strangers alike whose hearts are filled with compassion and love for others," her father said. "She might not be able to thank all the people that have helped her, but my wife and I thank and think of them every time she smiles at us." To make an appointment to give blood in Emily's honor, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org (search by sponsor code EMILY). Bellevue blood drives in honor of Emily Stephenson Jan. 19 from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 1501 Franklin St. Jan. 22 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Calgary Christian Church, 10100 Cedar Island Rd. Jan. 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Iglesia Ni Cristo Church of Christ, 1409 Betz Rd. Offutt Air Force Base blood drives in honor of Emily Stephenson Jan. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at US STRATCOM, 903 Sac Blvd. Jan. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Offutt Fire Station, 106 Peacekeeper Dr. * Jan. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Installation Deployment Readiness Cell, 106 Peacekeeper Dr. * Feb. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ehrling Bergquist Clinic, 2501 Capehart Rd. * Note: Military identification needed to attend this blood drive. How to Donate Blood For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Two forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals wanting to donate must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and in generally good health. Those under the age of 16 who wish to donate may do so with parental permission.