Donors Respond to Call for Blood for Children's Hospital

The "Rally for Sally" blood drive, held in honor of cancer-battling 10-year-old Sally Naser, was in full swing on Saturday.

The event went better then the organizers could have planned. Elaine Wallace, one of the primary organizers and a member of Dedham's Thirsty Irish Runners, said as of 1 p.m. they had taken care of 92 people.

The Thirsty Irish Runners are a running group Sally's parents belong to, and were the key proponents of the event. Wallace said that it was such a success that they will make efforts to do it again in eight weeks so those that were turned away could give and those that gave are able to give again.  

She said that Camille and Rob, Sally's parents, had stopped by earlier in the day and were so pleased to see the outcome.

She added that Sally's soccer team had stopped by with accompanying adults to give blood.  Sally's aunt, Beth Naser, her uncle, Will Naser, his wife Barbara, daughter Molly, 13, all stopped by to give support. Donors older than 16 were allowed to give blood. 

Will Naser said he was happy to do so.

"It's great for Sally and the hospital," he said, adding that he heard they need it all the time. 

John Coil, a Dedham resident and father of children who attend St. Joseph's Elementary School in Needham with Sally, came to donate and lend support.

Brenda McNally, a Dedham resident and mother, whose sons are both friends with Sally's brother, Oliver, gave at the blood drive as well.

Sally was diagnosed in May with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that can occur during the adolescent years.