Blood drive recognizes Utah child’s fight against cancer
Mar 11, 2025, 5:00 PM | Updated: 5:54 pm
FILE: Maria Figueroa of American Red Cross prepares Debbie Rhodes for blood donation in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, July 9, 2013. The Red Cross of Utah wants to honor Hansen, and donors, by recognizing the role that blood and platelet donation played in the child's story. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)
(Ravell Call, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — McKay Hansen started fighting an aggressive form of cancer when he was just three years old. Ten years later, the fight is over and the American Red Cross of Utah wants to honor Hansen, and donors, by recognizing the role that blood and platelet donation played in the child’s story.
In a statement, the American Red Cross of Utah said Hansen was diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma in 2014. After extensive treatments he spent five years in remission, but the rare cancer returned.
A three-year fight ensued. When the disease progressed and his blood marrow gave out, the American Red Cross said that blood and platelet donations gave McKay and his family six more months of life.
He died about a year ago, when he was 13 years old.
“Our family is forever grateful to the selfless blood donors who gave McKay the gift of more time,” McKay’s mother Shae Hansen said in a statement.
“These donations not only helped sustain him but allowed us to create life-long memories we wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Hansen said.
In all, Hansen received 244 blood and platelet transfusions.
Hansen’s family hopes the public can help them honor their son by participating in a blood drive on Thursday, March 13, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Clinton Utah West Stake.
Blood drive information
“This blood drive is a heartfelt way to honor McKay’s legacy and highlights the critical importance of blood and platelet donations in saving lives,” Executive Director of the Red Cross Northern Utah Chapter, Michael Smauldon said. “With recent severe weather leading to over 30,000 uncollected blood donations nationwide, we encourage everyone to consider donating to ensure patients in need receive these vital resources.”
Potential donors can schedule an appointment through a blood donor app sponsored by the Red Cross. Donors can also call 1-800-733-2767 for more information. In either case, use the sponsor code clintonwest to participate in the blood drive.
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