KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Community Comes Together for Abram Harrell
In a heartwarming yet challenging story, the people of KNOXVILLE are rallying together to support a little hero—four-year-old Abram Harrell, who is bravely battling B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. As the American Cancer Society reports, over two million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2024, and many of these patients, like Abram, require blood transfusions during their treatment.
The Fight Against Cancer
Abram’s father, Phil Harrell, shared what this journey has been like for their family. “We have lived in the hospital a lot, literally weeks at a time,” he explained. During this difficult period, blood and platelet transfusions have become a lifeline for Abram. “When you’re going through cancer, the chemotherapy kind of takes out the blood. So anyone who is going through chemotherapy has to go through blood replacements so that they basically don’t run out, and that’s kids and adults alike,” Phil added.
A Critical Need for Blood Donations
Staff at the Medic Regional Blood Center are sounding the alarm on serious blood shortages, particularly for Type O blood. Elyssa Hurley, a representative, mentioned, “We’re starting to level off our O+ and O- supply. We are still a little low but not as bad as we were.” She stressed the utter importance of blood donations, saying, “There’s nothing that we can substitute it with, there’s no artificial blood out there.” This reality hits home for families like Abram’s, who depend on donations for life-saving treatments.
Encouraging Youth to Step Up
Recognizing the need for a steady influx of donations, Hurley emphasized the importance of attracting younger donors. “Usually, they aren’t the demographic that’s donating,” she noted. One inspiring example is Janie Brice, a freshman at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. She expressed her desire to donate blood, saying, “It’s all about giving back to the people that aren’t in as fortunate a situation as I am to have healthy blood.” Her sentiment echoes the call for compassionate action from the community.
Special Blood Needs for Abram
Abram’s specific blood type is O-, which means he can only receive O- blood. Phil shared a comforting detail for potential donors: “You can tell them you’re donating for Abram if you donate at MEDIC.” Donations made in his name can help ease the financial burden on their family, as MEDIC tracks these contributions. Phil explains, “They basically kind of do like a bank, we have an account. And so the blood goes into an account, it doesn’t matter the blood type. And then he gets credit for it.” It’s a clever system that helps both Abram and others in need.
Community Support: A Blessing in Disguise
The Harrell family has embraced social media, setting up a Facebook page called Abram’s Army. This page has become a vital connection point for people wanting to support them, keeping everyone updated on Abram’s progress. Phil expressed heartfelt gratitude: “We wanted to thank everyone that has donated and that has prayed for us along the way. We’ve had a huge community supporting us and we’re very grateful God has blessed us through all this.” His wife, Permelia Harrell, echoed these sentiments, praising the kindness of those who have stepped up to help, often without ever knowing Abram personally.
Additional Help for the Harrell Family
To tackle mounting hospital bills, the Harrell family has also set up a GoFundMe page. While this journey is filled with challenges, the love and generosity of the Knoxville community shine brightly, proving that even in tough times, people can come together to make a difference. As the Harrell family continues to navigate this journey, they can feel the support of their neighbors, friends, and even strangers who have taken it upon themselves to be part of Abram’s story.
In times of hardship, the power of community truly makes even the darkest days a little brighter.
