Special to The Post-Searchlight

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive “in honor of” Brynlee Ethridge of Newton, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 19. The drive will be held at the Fort Gaines Baptist Church, 207 E. Hartford St., in Fort Gaines, Ga., from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Brynlee was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Philadelphia Chromosome in February 2012, just after her third birthday. Doctors began aggressive treatment at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta.

Since the diagnosis, Brynlee has had five blood transfusions, three platelet transfusions, one surgery and numerous days of chemotherapy.

To schedule an appointment for this blood drive or any other American Red Cross blood drive, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Most healthy individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent) and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood.  Individuals 18 years of age or younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

The Southern Blood Services Region serves more than 120 hospitals and must have 1,200 people donate blood or platelets each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients.