Jasper Swafford was diagnosed with leukemia at five-months-old and received many blood transfusions while undergoing cancer treatment.
At 21-months-old, a few hours after receiving news from doctors that he was on the road to recovery and he was in remission, his parents were told that Jasper’s heart was failing.
Sadly, Jasper passed away shortly after on March 30, 2021. Patricia Swafford, Jasper’s mother described him as a very happy baby who loved the character Lorax, his family and everything related to the animated movie Toy Story.
The Swafford family hosted a blood drive in honor of baby Jasper on July 7, 2021 at the Whitmore Oreana Community in Oreana, Illinois.
His parents have made it their mission to help other families dealing with childhood cancer and share the importance of donating blood. When you donate blood or platelets you’re helping cancer patients receive the lifesaving care they need.
If you are healthy and feeling well, please visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment to donate at a blood drive near you.
Written by Communications & Marketing Intern Brianna Orto
American Red Cross of Illinois 