Cook County community helped make blood drive 'Savings Lives for Payton' a huge success
Mar 24, 2023 09:27AM ● By Content Editor
Above photo: Laura Durenberger-Grunow. All other photos provided
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - March 24, 2023
One of the reasons people love Cook County is because of the supportive community. And this week, the community showed up once again.
A month ago, Boreal Community Media spoke with Courtney Quaife, mom of Payton Quaife and wife of Tim Quaife. Their family owns Mike's Holiday in Grand Marais.
During that interview, Courtney shared that in 2022, Payton was diagnosed with ITP, which stands for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. ITP is an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly destroys blood platelets. In Payton's case, there is no known cure.
Part of Payton's treatments includes receiving transfusions, Courtney shared. In fact, Payton has received roughly the equivalent of 66 donors worth of "blood products"- which served as the goal for their March 21 & 22 blood drive (sponsored by Mike's Holiday, and partners with Memorial Blood Center).
So, did they make their goal of 66 donors?
"The blood drive turned out amazing, and we exceeded the goal by quite a bit - even with the snowstorm on Wednesday", Courtney said.
81 people ended up donating - many first-timers or people who haven't donated in over 10 years.
"The units that were collected could potentially save 243 lives", Quaife said. "We are so thankful for each and everyone that took time out of their day to donate. Our family, friends, and complete strangers came together and made a huge contribution to go towards the blood shortage."
"Even the Memorial Blood Center’s staff was amazed at our community and their love for Payton," she added.
Another blood drive is being planned for this summer.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - March 24, 2023
One of the reasons people love Cook County is because of the supportive community. And this week, the community showed up once again.
A month ago, Boreal Community Media spoke with Courtney Quaife, mom of Payton Quaife and wife of Tim Quaife. Their family owns Mike's Holiday in Grand Marais.
During that interview, Courtney shared that in 2022, Payton was diagnosed with ITP, which stands for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. ITP is an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly destroys blood platelets. In Payton's case, there is no known cure.
Part of Payton's treatments includes receiving transfusions, Courtney shared. In fact, Payton has received roughly the equivalent of 66 donors worth of "blood products"- which served as the goal for their March 21 & 22 blood drive (sponsored by Mike's Holiday, and partners with Memorial Blood Center).
So, did they make their goal of 66 donors?
"The blood drive turned out amazing, and we exceeded the goal by quite a bit - even with the snowstorm on Wednesday", Courtney said.
81 people ended up donating - many first-timers or people who haven't donated in over 10 years.
"The units that were collected could potentially save 243 lives", Quaife said. "We are so thankful for each and everyone that took time out of their day to donate. Our family, friends, and complete strangers came together and made a huge contribution to go towards the blood shortage."
"Even the Memorial Blood Center’s staff was amazed at our community and their love for Payton," she added.
Another blood drive is being planned for this summer.
Virginia Palmer and Payton
Courtney Quaife
Tim Quaife
