WICHITA — During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to provide hope and healing to patients fighting cancer.

 Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and more than 268,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

 In August 2016, Myel Bowers-Smith went to the doctor for what she thought was a breast infection for a mosquito bite after a vacation in Cancun. Instead, she received the devastating diagnosis – she had stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare and aggressive breast carcinoma. Bowers-Smith, a U.S. Army veteran, committed to fighting for her life. “Once I began fighting, I knew I had to remain strong,” she said. Her aggressive care plan included five different chemotherapy treatments and steroids.

Like many patients with cancer, Bower-Smith needed multiple blood product transfusions. Cancer patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy may require red blood cell or platelet transfusions.

After months of grueling treatments, in August 2017, Bowers-Smith celebrated the news that her cancer was in remission. Today, she enjoys sharing her story and encouraging others to be a blessing by donating blood or platelets. “Eligible donors, you have something good – which is your blood. A pint of blood can help save lives.”

Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, are needed to ensure a stable supply for cancer patients and others this fall. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

 As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Area residents can donate blood at the following location:

Claflin

Oct. 18 - 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Claflin Community Center, 409 A St.

Great Bend

Oct. 16 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 3821 10th St.

Oct. 17 - 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, 1809 24th St.

Oct. 25 - 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Barton Community College Case Hew Holland Lab, 245 NE 30 Road

Oct. 26 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at VFW Post 3111, 504 Washington St.

Hoisington

Oct. 21 - 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road

Larned

Oct. 31 - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Larned High School, 815 Corse St.

Bison

Oct. 22 - noon to 6 p.m. at Bison Middle School, 411 Main

St. John

Oct. 24 - noon to 6 p.m. at the IOOF Gym, 700 E. 1st St.