Blood Drive
High Hopes and the American Red Cross are proud to hold a very special blood drive in honor of Barrett Patton on his birthday, March 18, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at High Hopes in Brentwood.
Just ask anyone who knows him, and they’ll tell you Barrett Patton is not your typical teen. Some of his biggest fans say he’s the kind of person who never met a stranger. His charisma and joyful attitude have impacted many throughout the Williamson County community.
Barrett’s inspiring story began when he and his twin brother Bailey were born 12 weeks premature. Shortly after their birth, Barrett was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Due to his limited mobility, in recent years Barrett developed a curvature of the spine that has caused some health issues. To gain a better quality of life, the Franklin teen will undergo a spinal fusion surgery at St. Louis Children’s Hospital at the end of March. During his surgery, doctors anticipate he may need blood.
Barrett receives therapy High Hopes in Brentwood and attended the preschool as a young child. High Hopes is a non-profit preschool and pediatric therapy clinic that serves children in the Middle Tennessee area. When Lori Ogden, Director of Development, found out Barrett may be in need of blood products during surgery, she worked with the High Hopes staff to host a Red Cross blood drive in his honor. “We can’t all go to St. Louis, but we want to give our part and show our support,” said Ogden. “We want to honor Barrett so that he can feel our love and our hugs and all of us around him.”
When Barrett heard about the outpouring of support for him and that a blood drive would be held on the birthday he shares with his twin brother Bailey, he was deeply moved. “For every person in this world there are only a few places where they will feel true love and support. High Hopes is one of those places for me,” said Barrett. “This blood drive only causes my love and appreciation for this entire organization and its people to grow immensely.”
Barrett’s mother, Jennifer, is also touched by the community response. “It’s very moving and I feel very thankful for anyone who would be willing to give a part of them to help Barrett during his surgery. It’s very emotional,” said Jennifer.
High Hopes will celebrate Barrett and Bailey’s 14th birthday with cake, balloons and plenty of friends. The community is invited to join in the celebration and show their support of Barrett by donating blood.
To schedule an appointment for this drive, please call Jennifer Schultz at (615) 346-7849. You may also make your appointment online by visiting www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS. Walk-in donors are welcome.
As a thank you to generous blood donors, everyone who presents to donate blood at this drive will automatically be entered to win a $1,000 gift card to be used towards home improvements.
High Hopes equips children and youth with the skills necessary to achieve success through education, rehabilitation, and loving support.
For more information, please call (615) 661-5437 or visit our website www.HighHopesForKids.org.
