Bennet couple advocates for blood donations after transfusion helped save their son’s life

Liz Volker remembers playing on the floor with her 15-month-old son, Elliot, when she noticed something was off. 

Elliot’s stomach had a hard lump in it, and was sticking out on his left side. 

While odd, Volker and her husband, Zach, didn’t think too much of it.

“We had no idea anything was wrong at all,” Volker said. 

A couple of appointment with doctors, who thought he might be constipated, did little to change their minds. 

Pregnant with their second child, a girl, they went in for a obstetrician appointment, and their midwife noticed Elliot’s stomach. 

She recommended Elliot get an ultrasound, if for no other reason to give them peace of mind. 

Two hours after the ultrasound, Zach and Liz received the news – their son had cancer. 

“It was devastating,” Liz Volker said. “You think they’re going to grow up and be healthy. You never think anything is going to happen – especially hearing that they’re going to have cancer.” 

The family was rushed to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, where doctors said Elliot had a Wilms tumor – a rare diagnosis, with only 300 cases on average reported each year. 

Doctors performed surgery to remove a volley-ball sized tumor that had been growing out of Elliot’s kidney. 

After losing a large amount of blood during the procedure, Elliot needed a blood transfusion – something that might not have been available, were it not for volunteer donors. 

Every two seconds in the United States, someone is need of a blood product, said Samantha Pollard, External Communications Manager with the American Red Cross. 

With busy schedules, poor weather conditions and the advent of flu season, Pollard says the Red Cross sees a significant drop off in blood donations during the holidays. 

It’s a common misconception, she says, that blood donations only go to victims of physical traumas like car accidents. 

Rather, Pollard says, blood is used for every day procedures like surgeries, child birth, and other medical treatments. 

“People just depend on blood to save their lives,” Pollard said. “It has to be on the shelves – and it has to come from a volunteer donor.” 

The donation that was available for Elliot is something his parents say they’re eternally grateful for. 

“You’re not just donating blood,” Liz Volker said. “You’re donating hope, you’re donating life to a family.” 

While fully recovered from his surgery, Elliot will undergo chemotherapy treatments until March. 

In the mean time, his parents say he enjoys eating applesauce, reading books, and loving on his baby sister. 

“As you are thinking of gifts for your family and friends this holiday season I think there is no better gift than the gift of your time,” Liz Volker said of blood donations.

The Red Cross likes to have a five-day supply of blood on their shelves, but currently only have a three-day supply. 

That’s just one catastrophic weather event away from being wiped out, Pollard said. 

The Red Cross is holding its Lincoln Holiday Blood Drive on Friday, December 21. 

Donors can visit four locations across the city, including KLKN-TV, to give. 

To make an appointment to donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code Lincoln Holiday.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Locations and times for the blood drive are listed below: 

Channel 8 Eyewitness New KLKN-TV

3240 S. 10th St.

Noon to 5:30 p.m.

Charles H. Gere Library
2400 S. 56th St.

11a.m.-5 p.m.

Gateway Mall Lincoln

6100 O St.

11a.m.-5 p.m.

Bess Dodson Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14th St.

11a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.