by Jill Feldon LaNouette

She was a gifted athlete, captain of her team at Scotts Valley High School and an All-American at California Polytechnic State University. Intelligent and having acquired her master’s degree, she worked in New York City with a leading accounting firm before marrying the love of her life and landing her dream job in sports marketing in Portland.

In January 2023, Kelly Harris climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, with her mother, Diane, and they reached the summit — 19,341 feet up. Shortly thereafter, Kelly was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Kelly began chemotherapy and eventually underwent radiation, all while continuing to work.

“It took a toll on her body,” Diane said. Kelly received platelets and several blood transfusions over the course of her treatment. Realizing how dependent patients are on having a sufficient blood supply for this vital treatment, Kelly organized her own blood drive.

Before her diagnosis, Kelly had created a healthy lifestyle and recipe Instagram account with 50,000 followers. With a newfound understanding of the critical need for blood, she asked her followers to donate blood, resulting in over 100 donations.

Inspired by her daughter’s determination, Diane also started donating blood again after many years. “This was a wake-up call,” she said.

More transfusions followed for Kelly, and after each one, she felt “super healthy,” Diane said. But during Christmas 2023, Kelly had a minor seizure while on vacation with her family. Her doctors discovered that the tumor had spread to her brain. Despite two ensuing brain surgeries and radiation, Kelly died at the age of 32 in May 2024.