Off the I-15

Sunday’s blood and marrow drive for Dena Hibbetts-Gerardi was “a huge success,” according to her mother, Shirley Hibbetts. Hibbetts e-mailed me on Monday to let me know about the impressive community response that caused an event slated for 2-7 p.m. to last until about 10:30.

Hibbetts-Gerardi, 45, has an aggressive form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and needs a bone marrow transplant. See the Desert Dispatch story here. Finding a donor is a challenge because the donor and recipient must have such similar genetic make-ups, according to the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. A cheek cell swab (a “buccal swab”), which types the DNA of possible donors, usually costs about $50, but the fee is waived for blood donors.

During the drive, the blood bank collected 119 units of blood and did 154 bone marrow screenings, Hibbetts said.

“The blood bank and hospital volunteer staff were totally overwhelmed with the turnout,” Hibbetts wrote. “To keep everyone hydrated, volunteers distributed water to people in the waiting lines that wound down both sides of the hallways on the bottom floor of the hospital and out the door into the parking lot.”

Hibbetts commented that the “wonderful and uplifting day” illustrated that the people of Barstow are “truly amazing.”

“When one of their own is in need, they don’t hesitate to come out to help,” she wrote. “The outpouring of love and support was mind-boggling.”

Dena Hibbetts-Gerardi draws the winning ticket for a quilt given away during the blood and marrow drive. Karen Jones donated the handmade, king-sized quilt.

Laura Hibbetts fills out paperwork in order to give a buccal swab. She sat on the ground outside because of the crowd at the blood and marrow drive.

Shirley Brand gives a buccal swab so her DNA can be tested.
— Stevie St. John

* Photos were provided by Shirley Hibbetts, who also gave permission to use information from her e-mail.