Posted December 12, 2008
It only took two days for Port St. Lucie city employees and the community to donate 97 units of blood and raise $675 all in the name of a two-year-old boy fighting a brain tumor.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11, the St. Lucie County division of Florida’s Blood Centers parked two “big red” buses in front of City Hall. Despite the stormy weather on the second day, a steady stream of people lined up to donate blood to help young Gibbs Antoine, whose treatment for a brain tumor requires the regular infusion of blood products. Gibbs and his father, Josnell Antoine, a phlebotomist with Florida’s Blood Centers, were unable to attend as planned, as Gibbs was hospitalized during the blood drive.
Outside the buses, a bake sale organized by city employees raised $675, while a photograph of Gibbs with his father sat on the table holding the goodies. Starbucks provided coffee and hot chocolate to go with the delicious treats, and city employees donated home-made stocking stuffers and holiday decorations to sell. Other donations for the event came from Walmart, Winn Dixie, Albertsons, Communications Supply Co., Jade Communications and Belden.
All of the money raised for the Antoine family will be donated to them through the PSL Children’s Fund to assist with expenses not covered by medical insurance.
Those who donated blood received a $10 Publix gift card and a chance to win a $225 American Express gift card. Twenty-seven people gave their Publix gift cards back as an additional donation to the Antoine family. The winner of the raffle was an employee of the city’s Utilities Department.
Tracey Skinner, donor development coordinator for Florida’s Blood Centers, was thrilled with the outcome of the event.
“For every unit of blood donated, you help three people,” said Ms. Skinner. “That means 291 people on the Treasure Coast will be helped because of that one event. It was great, and I know Josnell really appreciates it.”
Florida’s Blood Centers is always in need of additional blood and platelet donors. For more information, contact one of their two Port St. Lucie facilities:
Rita Hart
Public Information Officer
City of Port St. Lucie
(772) 873-6325