While some residents purchased brownies and cookies, others headed straight to the Putnam Community Blood Mobile in hopes of becoming potential bone marrow donors during the fifth annual health fair Saturday. Our main goal was to increase the numbers on the bone marrow registry.
Bone marrow is a tissue located in the cavities of large bones.
It produces vital blood components, such as white blood cell which help to fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen and platelets which prevent bruising and bleeding. The health fair put on by juniors and seniors drew nearly 100 residents. She took part in the health fair to address questions and concerns donors may have had. Donald Baird, a leukemia patient who lives in Palatka, said he has been waiting since last year for a match. Baird currently takes an experimental drug to help extend his life until a bone marrow match is found.