TERRE HAUTE —
Fifty-seven-year old Mickey Umphries donated blood for the first time Monday.
His inspiration, he said, was a 7-year-old first-grader Katelyn Newell who someday will have to undergo a heart transplant.
The Indiana Blood Center blood drive took place from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Deming Elementary gym.
Katelyn, who is back at school, collapsed at Deming on March 22.
She was taken by ambulance to Union Hospital and later that day she went to Riley Hospital for Children. She has since had a pacemaker put in, and eventually, she faces heart transplant surgery.
Katelyn was born with complex congenital heart disease. She was born without a valve and underwent three surgeries to correct it. Except for a stroke when she was 31⁄2 years old, Katelyn had been very healthy until last fall.
Now, she suffers from bradycardia, in which her heart beats very slowly. Katelyn’s coronary arteries are not developing as they should.
The 7-year-old has a check-up appointment at Riley today to see how well her pacemaker is working. “She’s actually still been turning blue on us, and she’s also been complaining about chest pains” since late last week, said her mom, Robin Newell.
“We’re hoping it’s just a medication adjustment is all that will be needed this time,” Robin Newell said. Her daughter is on blood thinners and blood pressure medication.
Katelyn uses a wheelchair at school because she gets weak if she has to walk too far.
Robin Newell had a conversation with her daughter Sunday about the need for a heart transplant. “She just said she wants her heart to be better,” Robin Newell said.
The blood drive had been scheduled prior to Katelyn’s health emergency March 22, but on Monday, the 7-year-old served as the inspiration. “We decided this would be a great way to honor her,” said Susan Mardis, school principal.
One of those inspired was Umphries, who has three grandchildren at Deming. “She’s a sweetheart,” he said of Katelyn. He hopes the blood donation “will help somebody.”
Natasha Sullivan also donated blood for the first time. Her daughter, Kaylee Sullivan, encouraged her to do so, “Otherwise I would not be in this chair,” she admitted. Her daughter told her “it was for a good cause” and a way to honor Katelyn.
Natasha Sullivan, who doesn’t like needles, admitted, “I’m scared to death” as she awaited her turn to give blood.
By the time the blood drive concluded, 21 people had donated, including eight teachers and Katelyn’s parents.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Just use your imagination: R. Vernon Mattox, a phlebotomist with the Terre Haute branch of the Indiana Blood Center, reminds Deming Principal Susan Mardis to imagine that she is sitting on a chair on a beach as she donates blood Monday at the school.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Four chairs, four donors: R. Vernon Mattox, a phlebotomist with the Terre Haute branch of the Indiana Blood Center, chats with Deming Principal Susan Mardis and teacher Susan Cox Monday during a blood drive at the school.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Donation conversation: Deming Elementary School first-grader Katelyn Newell, 7, talks with her teacher, Susan Cox, as Cox donates blood during a blood drive Monday at the school. Newell was named the hero of the drive.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Just a kid being a kid: Seven-year-old Katelyn Newell plays with her wheelchair (and her mom, Robin) as volunteers sign up to donate blood Monday at Deming Elementary School.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza First donors: Mickey Umphries, Deming Elementary School grandparent, and Susan Mardis, school principal, hold down their gauze squares after donating blood Monday at the school.
Discussion
Opening their hearts, sharing their blood
7-year-old inspires donations at school
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