The blood drive is open to the public and will take place Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside Bishop Gorman, located at 1405 E SE Loop 323 in Tyler, where the Carter BloodCare bus will be. All eligible donors are encouraged to participate. A photo ID is required, and 16-year-olds must provide signed parental consent.(Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School is organizing a blood drive Monday to support one of their own.

The drive, spearheaded by a dedicated group of students, aims to provide crucial assistance to the family of Christine Martin, who is facing a challenging situation with two children diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis, a rare blood disease.

The sentiment is one that means a lot to Martin.

“When the student body president asked me if they could host the blood drive in honor of my children, I was so emotional I couldn’t even speak,” Martin said.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the disorder causes hemolytic anemia, which happens when the red blood cells break down faster than normal. In hereditary spherocytosis, red blood cells lose their characteristic disk-like shape, becoming round, or spherical cells (spherocytes) that can’t function like normal red blood cells, causing them to become more fragile.

This is an inherited disorder which affects Martin’s two children, 2-year-old Charlotte and 6-month-old John Paul.

“They have a severe case which has caused them to both need seven blood transfusions each,” Martin said. “Charlotte had seven during the first year of her life, and John Paul has had seven in only 6 months of his life.”

Martin herself does not have H.S. but her husband had such a mild case he didn’t find out until he was a preteen. They were aware of the possibility their children might inherit the gene mutation, but they anticipated that, like the husband, any symptoms would be very mild.

“I constantly remind myself I have to be strong for my children,” she said. “I think we all work hard to do everything we can to make certain (that) as our children are growing in the womb they can be as healthy as possible.”

According to Martin, who is the director of Sacred Music and the school newspaper, there are thousands of children who are regular patients at the Children’s Medical Center Dallas Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders who need emergency blood transfusions every day.

“As my children have had 14 blood transfusions, it is very possible someone who donates blood on Monday will be the donor that saves their life when they next need a transfusion,” she said. “One pint of blood has the potential to save up to three children’s lives.”

Martin joined the Bishop Gorman faculty last October and had her son John Paul in January, when he experienced extreme birth complications that almost cost his life. Within a few hours, Martin said thousands of people were praying for her newborn, leading to what she described as a “miracle recovery.”

“After only being a faculty member for a few months, I was completely shocked in all of the ways Gorman provided for my family,” Martin said. “Gorman continues to leave me in awe with the amount of support, compassion and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others towards a cause we care about.”

Most rare blood disorders are incurable. The approach relies on the body’s ability to adapt to the genetic mutation by producing more red blood cells than normally found in individuals without a blood disorder. During this adjustment period, blood transfusions are essential for maintaining adequate blood and oxygen levels, allowing the children to survive. The need for a transfusion is unpredictable.

“Something as small as the common cold can cause what our hematologist calls ‘an attack’ and sudden need for blood,” Martin said. “I cannot stress enough the importance of blood donations. No amount of money can replace a pint of blood.”

The student organizers are rallying their peers, faculty and local residents to contribute to this important cause, underscoring the school’s commitment to compassion and community service.

Martin and a fellow teacher named Pam Konon collaborated throughout the previous school year to establish the Bishop Gorman National Organization for Rare Disorders “Students for Rare Chapter,” which is set to launch this fall. This educational initiative aims to raise awareness about various rare diseases and disorders among students. It offers hands-on experience with children and medical professionals, focusing on understanding different conditions, their treatments, and strategies for adapting and thriving with these disorders.

“Our goal is to host larger community events to spread a larger awareness to the variation of diseases and disorders,” Martin said.

Additionally, junior Sayo Ifafore is starting the Red Cross club at Gorman this September. The club aims to continue offering services such as an annual blood drive and hopes to host medical classes, including CPR training, for the students and community of Bishop Gorman.

Since discovering the challenges posed by her children’s condition, Martin has dedicated herself to advocacy, working diligently to raise awareness. She has been especially active as a volunteer with the Women’s Auxiliary of Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

“I think when you see your children close to death so many times and know there is no treatment other than relying on the community to graciously donate blood, it really gives a bigger perspective on your children being a gift from God and to not take any moments spent for granted,” she said. “I have been determined to take some really bad experiences and turn them into good by being a voice for my children and bring awareness to their blood disorders, creating a space for the community to make a difference through blood drives.”

The blood drive is open to the public and will take place Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the school, located at 1405 E SE Loop 323 in Tyler, where the Carter BloodCare bus will be. All eligible donors are encouraged to participate. A photo ID is required, and 16-year-olds must provide signed parental consent.

“Our primary goal is to receive as many blood donations as possible to help replenish the need for blood,” Martin said. “If you are unable to donate, please help us by sharing this blood drive and future drives.”

Each donation will not only help alleviate the immediate needs of Martin’s children but also contribute to the broader fight against rare blood disorders. This initiative highlights the powerful impact that collective efforts can have in supporting those in need and reinforces the values of solidarity and empathy within the Bishop Gorman community.

“I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Gorman family and blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to making a difference in the lives of our students and community,” Martin said. “There really is no better place to form a lasting family like bond than ‘being a Crusader.’”

If You Go

If You Go

What: Carter BloodCare blood drive

Why: To help a Bishop Gorman teacher who has two children fighting a rare blood disease

When: Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School, at 1405 E SE Loop 323 in Tyler

When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday

Note: All eligible donors are encouraged to participate. A photo ID is required, and 16-year-olds must provide signed parental consent.