At 11 years old, Mark Juergens Junior is, unfortunately, no stranger to the hospital. Still, thanks to the generosity of blood donors, there are blood products on the shelves that help him battle stage 4 Hodgkin's nodular sclerosis lymphoma.

After receiving five rounds of chemotherapy, Mark Juergens Junior is familiar will the telltale side effects that necessitate a return trip to the hospital. After four out of the past five rounds of chemo, Mark Junior would develop nausea and fever and need either a blood or platelet transfusion to help him recover.

"He was so used to the side effects of chemo that he could predict when the symptoms were coming on and would say 'there's no sense in driving the 45 minutes home if we're just going to have to come right back,'" said Melissa Juergens, mother of Mark Junior and three other children.

Last month, Mark Junior's homebound teacher, Stephanie Price, organized a blood drive in his honor. She was struck by Mark Junior's story of his experience receiving blood transfusions.

As first-time blood donors at the drive, Melissa and her husband, Mark Juergens, were overwhelmed with gratitude for the blood donors who give blood and platelets without knowing who will receive it.

"Watching your child go through this is horrific—seeing them being so sick," said Melissa." We're just so grateful there are people out there that are able to give blood."

Melissa, who confessed she cries when she gets the flu shot, expressed appreciation for the blood collection staff. She described the blood donation process as welcoming, comfortable and painless.

At the time of this story publishing, Melissa is currently in Atlanta with her four children while Mark Junior receives radiation treatment. You can help children battling cancer like Mark Junior by rolling up a sleeve and donating blood or platelets. Schedule your blood donation at redcrossblood.org.