Blood drive planned in McCandless toddler’s name

Although she’s only 22 months old, Clementine Blackham of McCandless already has needed up to 50 transfusions for a rare genetic disorder, and her parents know firsthand the value of giving blood.

A Clementine Blackham Replenishment Blood Drive, scheduled for 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland on Cumberland Road in McCandless, will help her and others dealing with such a vital need.

“If it weren’t for all the people who donate blood, Clementine would not have made it,” said Tim Blackham, her father. “This drive is for people and children who require blood transfusions, just like my daughter did, every person that donates helps fill the blood bank for people in need.”

The drive is being held through Vitalant in partnership with the Highland Volunteer Fire Department, of which Tim is a member, and St. John’s.

Clementine was born with a rare gene mutation that inhibited her body from producing red blood cells, and she required many transfusions to survive, between 40 to 50 total. The condition also affects her immune system, her father said.

In addition, the little girl received a bone marrow transplant from an anonymous European donor in 2023, performed at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Members of Clementine’s family — including her mother, Tanner, and sister, FinLee, 4 — have been staying in St. Louis since.

The Highland Volunteer Fire Department in McCandless held the first blood drive last year,

“This event is held primarily by my department. The idea stemmed from a great man who recently passed away, Dan Stack. It was his idea to hold this blood drive because of how often my daughter required blood transfusions,” Tim Blackham said.

Now the drive is being spearheaded by Highland Chief Ken Kinzel. Stack was a firefighter with Highland VFD who died in May.

Tim has been a member of Highland for over two years, prior to that he was a member of Peebles Volunteer Fire Department, also in McCandless, for six years.

“Last year was a booming success. We donated over 276 units of blood and filled up over half of Pittsburgh’s blood bank for that day,” he said.

Kinzel said it’s important to support the members of his department.

“When a member is hurt, we all hurt. When a member is grieving, we grieve with them. When a member or someone in their family is in need, we come together and do whatever we can for them,” he said.

A blood drive was the answer to help the Blackham family.

“Highland prides itself on giving back to our community here in McCandless, and now our reach can go even farther so others can receive the donation of life,” Kinzel said. “Clementine was saved last year with someone’s donation, and this is our way of thanking them and supporting Clementine and her family,”

The Highland department will have fire trucks on display at the blood drive and some informational material about fire safety, he said.

Tim Blackham said the lab results have been holding steady so far for Clementine, nicknamed “Tiny.” She is going through the process of weaning off medications. Family members are hopeful to be home within the next few months, “so fingers crossed,” he said.

Until then, they are staying at a Ronald McDonald House in the St. Louis area. Ronald McDonald House Charities provide temporary housing in various places across the country for families of seriously ill children getting treatment at a local medical facility, according to the organization’s website.

For the Clementine Blackham Replenishment Blood Drive, walk-in donors are welcome. Appointments can be made prior to the event through www.vitalant.org.