by John A. Brimley
 

It’s a story Joanne Roberts, a healthcare professional in Jonesboro, has told dozens of times since the diagnosis more than three years ago, June 2020, but it still comes with the same emotions she felt on the first day she got the news. 

“I hate that I still get emotional like this three years later,” said Roberts with tears in her eyes and her voice cracking.

She’d just told the same story moments earlier to the local news station. It didn’t matter. The same emotion. The same tears. The same feelings.  

Roberts took her then 3-year-old daughter, Jennings Roberts, to be treated for a routine ear infection. Being a healthcare professional, she’d grown frustrated because it was taking abnormally long to diagnose her daughter and write the prescription.

Joanne and Jennings left the hospital without the prescription and more uncertainty about just what it was that ailed her little girl. Days later Jennings was diagnosed with leukemia.

It was a hard pill to swallow for Joanne. For Jennings, she wasn’t much fazed. 

“Jennings was a trooper,” said Roberts. “I was a wreck.”

The journey has taken them on a world wind. From Memphis and across the state of Arkansas. More importantly, for Joanne, she’s taken solace in the humanity of people along the way.  

“We’ve encountered so many angels throughout this process,” Roberts said. “From the person in the lab who called me on a Sunday to just everybody in between.”

Joanne knew the road ahead would be daunting for her baby girl. The treatments, long days, early mornings, late nights and exhaustion awaited the Roberts family. 

The treatments started immediately, and according to Joanne; Jennings has been a champ through it all. The blood transfusions, low blood cell count, chemotherapy and all were a part of her experience, so the importance of giving blood isn’t lost on either of them. 

“There for a while she had to have several blood products due to her blood cell counts being low,” said Joanne. “Her counts were so low that a lot of the time she wasn’t able to receive chemotherapy until they got up, and they don’t get up unless you have blood product.” 

After Jennings diagnosis, Joanne’s mom became a regular, even though she gets sick every time. For Joanne, she now makes a point to donate whenever she has a chance. It was the realization from seeing how many times Jennings needed blood products. Still not as often as she’d like. She then had an opportunity to help with a blood drive for her daughter’s soccer team.

“I jumped on to have a chance to give back and help,” Joanne said. “Now I’m passionate about it.”

Her message is clear about the necessity of blood. 

“Anyone has a family member who has needed surgery or treatment where they need this lifesaving procedure done and the doctor came to you and said, ‘sorry we can’t because we have a blood shortage,’” said Joanne. “We have no blood product to give you. Sorry you can’t have the surgery or treatment. That feeling would be horrible, so I think about that. You don’t ever want to hear that happen.”

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.