Gracie Chavez has a rare condition called aplastic anemia. The condition weakens her bone marrow to the point that it eventually stops making new blood cells.
The 3-year-old now needs a bone marrow transplant to recover from the disease. Her family held a blood and bone marrow donor drive in Visalia, hoping someone in the community can help.
Gracie's father, Anthony Chavez said, "Just coping with the disease my wife and I have left our jobs to manage her care. It's very intensive. You know, she's a normal 3-year-old so it's hard. Bumps and bruises will put her in a very bad state and it'll suck up a lot of the blood products she gets every week."
Right now little Gracie relies on blood transfusions to stay alive but they will only last for so long.
Refer to the information below if you'd like to donate blood or see if you are a bone marrow match for Gracie.
Central California Blood Center
GRACIE CHAVEZ REPLACEMENT
BLOOD DRIVE AND MARROW REGISTRY
Central California Blood Center, 1515 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia
Contact:
Blood Drive Chairperson Jackie Chavez at 559-679-9014 or Darla Silvera with the Central California Blood Center at 559-288-6319
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Central California Blood Center Locations and Times
Jenny Eller Donor Center
4343 W. Herndon Ave.
Mon - Wed : 8 a.m. - 6:60 p.m.
Friday : 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday : 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fresno Donor Center
3445 N. First St.
Mon - Thurs : 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday : 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
North Fresno Donor Center
1010 E. Perrin
Mon-thurs: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday : 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Saturday : 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Visalia Donor Center
1515 S. Mooney Bvd.
Mon- Thurs: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday : 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday : 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Porterville Donor Center
93 N. Main St.
Tues-Thurs : 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday : 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
