The Haverford Community Recreation and Environmental Center, known as the CREC, is a place where health and fitness take center stage. The site features a walking track, a downstairs gym, a fitness center and large classroom spaces, all nestled in a wooded area with nature trails.

On August 1st, walking through the big glass doors of the CREC, signs pointed you to an American Red Cross blood drive on the ground floor. Before stepping inside, you heard the sound of two little boys, Beckett and Grady Campbell, wrestling and giggling as only siblings can, right inside the entrance, just feet away from an elaborate tri-fold poster that said it all, “Beckett Brigade.”

The poster, which featured pictures of Beckett during treatment, explained what brought friends, family and others out to the CREC to donate blood with a special thank you message: “Beckett is able to go to school, play sports and enjoy life thanks to the kindness of blood donors like you!”

Beckett, who is just ten years old, is recovering from leukemia. Blood transfusions helped him survive.

“A lot of people don’t understand that kids with cancer or adults with cancer – they can’t get chemotherapy unless their blood counts are at a certain number,” explained Beckett’s mom Amy.

Amy described how Beckett and other patients like him have to have high enough red blood cell and hemoglobin counts. If they don’t they can’t get the “chemo they need to save their lives.” Blood transfusions help get the numbers up where they need to be to get treatment.

Beckett had 9 different types of chemo over 2 ½ years and around 30 blood transfusions. Now, Amy is paying it forward. She worked with the Red Cross to organize the blood drive in honor of her son and to help people who may need blood.

“Beckett only had to wait one time – there wasn’t any blood available, but our goal is that no one ever has to wait if they need a transfusion,” she said.

When patients like Beckett need a transfusion, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives, which underscores the importance of giving blood regularly.

Having donated blood in the past, Allison Camara had been wanting to donate again when she saw a post in a mom’s group on Facebook.

“I read about Beckett and I know kids going through treatment need a lot of blood transfusions sometimes, so it’s just really important that people get out and do that if they are healthy and able to,” she said.

Allison’s own young daughter had to have a blood transfusion after doctors found her to be anemic and she may need more in the future.

Teresa Caponiti is another mom who saw the Facebook post and came to donate blood on her lunch break from work. She used to donate in college and her dad was a frequent blood donor.

“I’ve known a lot of people that have needed to get blood while they were in the hospital.”

Reading about Beckett touched her heart and made her think of her own kids.

“I’m feeling a lot of empathy for his family and what they went through,” she said.

When Beckett was asked what made getting a blood transfusion easier, you might think he said a bribe like a toy or a treat. When he answered he said something unexpected.

“Count. 1,2,3 and then they stick it in.”

Beckett’s mom explained he liked to stare at the needle and look directly at it. “He’s just not afraid. He’s had so many IVs and needles – he’s just a warrior with that,” she said.

Beckett finished chemo last November and said it made him feel “good” to be done. He will still go to oncology clinic for the next few years while his friends and family wait for a special calendar milestone. In November 2028, Beckett will enter “survivorship” and cancer will officially be behind him. For now, he’s looking forward to fifth grade. He has a big group of supporters in his “Beckett Brigade.”

Amy said, “We’ve always felt supported throughout Beckett’s whole journey by lots of people. People we know. People we don’t know. And it’s just been really special to have a relationship with the Red Cross and to help support other kids who are in need of blood donations and other adults who are sick and in need of blood transfusions.”

If you would like to make sure critical supplies of blood are available, learn how to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-REDCROSS, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

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PHOTO: During Beckett Campbell’s treatment for Leukemia he received around 30 blood transfusions. He rang the bell for finishing chemo in November 2023. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

- Written by Jenny Farley