American Red Cross--South Central Michigan Chapter

October 7, 2009 – JACKSON, MI – The South Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the 216,000 residents of Hillsdale County and Jackson County.

During October, the Chapter will host a series of 59-minute orientation events to showcase the following community services made possible by local donations:
1.... Blood collections
2. Health and safety training
3. Community preparedness planning
4. Disaster response services
5. Emergency communications for military members and their families

Attendees may speak with Red Cross Chapter staff at the conclusion of each orientation to discuss volunteering and support options.

The Red Cross Chapter is located at 3425 Francis Street in Jackson. Events will be held on:

Monday, October 12 at 12:00 PM at the Chapter
Monday, October 19 at 5:30 PM at the Chapter
Tuesday, October 27 at 8:00 AM at the Chapter
Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30 PM at Hillsdale United Way, located at 43 North Street in Hillsdale.

Reservations are encouraged. Refreshment will be served. Call (517) 782-9486 to reserve your seat or email: bjohnson@redcross-scmichigan.org
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My Fellow Life-Savers:

The local American Red Cross community lost a dear inspiration yesterday in the passing of Carson Clark. Carson faced a long struggle against Neuroblastoma Stage 4 cancer. Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that strikes primarily developing nerve cells and is found almost entirely among children.... Stage 4 is the most advanced form of Neuroblastoma and generally attacks an individual’s lymph nodes, bone, bone marrow, and other organs. Carson underwent a bone marrow transplant and when he first started cancer treatment he had to wait twice for platelets. Cancer patients count on platelet transfusions to continue their cancer treatment; particularly chemotherapy. Platelets are the clotting components in blood that control bleeding and are one of the three main components of blood the American Red Cross collects during our local blood drives.

Through partnership with the Clark family the American Red Cross has held a blood drives at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church to raise awareness of the need for blood donations. If anyone who has donated blood at those drives (or any blood drive) chooses to attend one of the visitation times and/or the funeral and would like to wear something to show support for the trials that the Clark Family has gone through then the South Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross will make blood donor pins available to you. You can pick them up at the reception desk of the Chapter HQ (address listed below).

Thank you for your support, thoughts and prayers for the Clark Family.

Carson C Clark
(March 7, 2004 - October 2, 2009) Age 5, of Brooklyn, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Preceded in death by his grandfather John D. Clark. Survived by his parents, David and Susan Clark; two brothers, Cody and Cameron; one sister, Caitlin; grandparents, Dr. Calvin (Elizabeth) Ernst; Wynona Clark. Carson loved Corbin Bleu, Diego, Lou the hippo, catching hermit crabs on the beach at Cape Cod, toy guys, and the colors orange and green. He was a sweet, gentle boy with great manners and he loved to spend time with his family. Carson was a very special buddy to his dad. He was loved stinky much and really much by his mom–You Bet!

Carson is at the Desnoyer Funeral Home where a Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 PM followed by Mass of the Christian Burial at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 1:30 PM. Interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Rev. Cecilio Reyna will be the celebrant. The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Monday from 2–4 and 6–8 PM. A Scripture Service will be held on Monday at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in the memory of Carson Clark. The family would like to extend a thank you to the entire St. Mary Parish family and a special thanks to the Sicilian family, Julia and Chris Hurlburt and to the Rose City Motors family. www.desnoyerfuneralhome.com

South Central Michigan Chapter - American Red Cross
3425 Francis St.Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 782-9486Read More