Signal Mountain residents Elaine and Carolyn Viens, from left, memorialize husband and father David Viens through an annual blood and platelet drive and bone marrow registration at Signal Crest United Methodist Church. Viens, who was diagnosed in 2003 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 46, passed away in December 2008 due to complications during a stem cell transplant. This year’s drive is Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Photo by Emily CrismanThe community has the opportunity to save lives locally at the 4th annual David Viens Memorial Blood Drive set for Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Signal Crest United Methodist Church.
“If someone’s feeling charitable and doesn’t have any money, we have the answer for that,” said Elaine Viens, who along with daughter Carolyn Viens and Signal Crest United Methodist Church organized the first blood and platelet drive and bone marrow registration event in May 2008 in honor of her husband David Viens.
The purpose was to find a bone marrow match for Viens, who passed away in December 2008 due to complications from a stem-cell transplant. The procedure was to treat the chronic lymphocytic leukemia he was diagnosed with five years prior, at the age of 46.
“We never knew there was such a need for blood donations until he started treatment,” said Elaine Viens. “The need can’t be met any other way – it can’t be bought.”
Platelets, or the blood’s “healer” cells, are often used in the treatment of cancer patients as well as for blood transfusions, said Carolyn Viens.