Blood drive held in honor of South Valley mother
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A South Valley mother is facing an uphill battle in her recovery following an accident last month. Kristina price suffered third-degree burns to 30-percent of her body. Now plans are in place for a blood drive in her honor.
Tragedy struck the Price family just days before Christmas when a big rig crashed into Kristina's car. That impact sent her smashing into a power pole, sparking a fire, burning the vehicle, and 30-percent of her body.
Because her burns were so extensive crews airlifted price to CRMC's burn unit where she's already undergone eight skin grafting surgeries.
Price is a gospel singer and pianist who suffered third-degree burns to her face, shoulders, arms, and hands. Family members tell Action News she hasn't been able to talk but in the past week has found other ways to communicate.
Doctors said Price could be there for at least the next five to eight months, requiring more surgery. Because the skin grafting surgeries price needs require a lot of blood a blood drive is being organized in her honor next week. "This is a woman who is a vocalist and a pianist-- when one is burned it makes it difficult to do anything for a long time. Burn treatments are very long," said Leslie Botos, Central California Blood Center.
Organizers of the drive said the Valley's blood supply has reached critical levels and hope donors of all types come in to help. "When we can put a face on the other end of the needle people begin to understand that when they give blood it's not for a T-shirt or a coupon-- it's to come in and give a life that comes from the heart," said Botos.
Price's parents are staying in Fresno temporarily as she continues to receive treatment.
Her husband and two children visit every few days.
The blood drive will be held from January 18th to the 23rd.
A list of times and locations are below:
Jenny Eller Donor Center
4343 West Herndon Avenue, Fresno
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
North Fresno Donor Center
1010 E. Perrin Avenue, Fresno
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fresno Donor Center
1196 East Shaw Avenue, Suite 10, Fresno
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Visalia Donor Center
1515 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
