Inova staff members gather with Anna (center left) and Sadie Lauer (center right) outside The Woods community center in Burke, after completing the sixth annual Friends of Sadie Blood Drive. Photo courtesy of Amy Dozier
In early 2010, friends of the Lauer family in Burke pulled together and organized an impromptu blood drive to support three-month-old Sadie Lauer, who was then diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Sadie underwent several surgeries to remove the cancerous mass in her neck, which required a large supply of replacement blood. The drive fell on Valentine’s Day.
The overwhelming community response inspired the “Friends” group to establish an annual blood drive in honor of Sadie, who is alive and in remission. Now with her as a mascot, organizers hope to continue raising awareness of childhood cancer, as well as supplying Inova Blood Donor services with putting much-needed blood on the shelf.
The seventh annual Friends of Sadie Community Blood Drive is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Woods Community Center, 10100 Wards Grove Circle in Burke, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.friendsofsadie.org or inova.org/donateblood to schedule an appointment, Sponsor Code 7637 or Sponsor Name: Friends of Sadie. A photo ID is required to donate. Donors should allow one hour for the process.