A blood drive will be held at the Rayne Fire Hall on Saturday, Aug. 28, to provide needed transfusions for a seven year old Rayne girl, Bailey Leon, who was diagnosed with high risk Neuroblastoma on March 4.

In this disease malignant cancer cells form in nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal cord. In Bailey’s case, the cancerous tumor is attached to her spine, lungs and major boood vessels. Neuroblastoma is rarely found in children older than 10 years and affects 1 in 100,000 kids.

The daughter of Coby Ashire and Brooke Leon underwent surgery on July 7 to remove the tumor and must undergo six weeks of radiation. Blood transfusions are vital to keeping Bailey’s blood counts elevated so that her immune system does not become compromised. Her transfusions started immediately after her diagnosis.

The goal of the blood drive is to have 50 or more donors sign up to give blood between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Rayne Fire Hall. Donors are encouraged to sign-up by August 25 for staffing purposes as well as to avoid congestion and wait times.

Go to www.bucksforbailey.com for updates on Bailey, who is the granddaughter of Dalton and Sara (Leon) Arsement, Kenneth & Glenda Abshire, Frank and Eva Privat and Harvey and Lois Leon.

Donors are asked to drink a lot of fluids and eat before donating, and bring a picture ID.