LEBANON, Ohio — A young boy battling an unnamed and incurable disease is working to give back in the same way that others have helped him — through donating blood.
“This is actually his nutrition,” Carrie said. “It’s a bag of fluids, and everyday I have to hang this [IV bag].”
Cohen is a unique young boy living with an unnamed immune system disease that has caused many health complications including intestinal failure, which makes it so Cohen can only eat through an IV.
“Every two hours he gets IV medications around the clock, so even at night time,” Carrie said. “He has two central lines, one on his chest, and one on his leg that we give all of his meds through, and that’s how he gets his blood products, too.”
Cohen also has a genetic bleeding disorder, which makes it difficult for his blood to clot — for which he has received countless transfusions. But through all the challenges and treatments, Cohen keeps an upbeat outlook about his treatment regimen.
“It’s kinda easy,” he said. “I’m able to do my normal things in the day, my mommy does them. It doesn’t stop me from doing my normal tasks like doing school and playing with LEGOs.”
Building LEGOs is something he is especially passionate about.
“I’ve spent most of my life in the hospital, so while I’m inpatient I build a lot of LEGOs,” he said. “I do it here to, so it’s something I’ve enjoyed over the years.”
Cohen is grateful for the help he receives from his parents, siblings and care team who stop by twice per week to make sure he’s doing okay. But Cohen wanted to give back and help others, too, so he’s called on all of Team Super Cohen to help.
“Giving back blood, because I know there is a shortage in blood right now,” he said. “I know I get so much of it, I want to give back as much as I have taken.”
There’s critical need for blood donations, currently, so Hoxworth Blood Center and Mercy Health are sponsoring the “March Madness Blood Drive,” in support of Super Cohen.
Hoxworth Blood Center spokesperson Jackie Marshall said the blood supply is 100% donor driven.
“We service over 30 hospitals in the tristate area who rely on those volunteer blood donors to get that blood,” Marshall said. “So it is important, more so now than ever, to donate and continue to donate.”
Cohen’s older brother, T.C., and Carrie, are contributing to the campaign. It is something T.C. is happy to do, as he also was Cohen’s bone marrow donor.
“He says we’re closer than brothers now because our DNA matches,” T.C. said. “And as his ‘closer than a brother,’ I feel it’s my job to help him in his goal of helping everybody else. Just give back, and blood is life. And we’re giving back life.”
The blood drive continues through the end of March at Hoxworth locations around Cincinnati. To contribute to Cohen’s campaign, donors should mention Super Cohen, or give the staff code, C184.
“Just for people to think about how much blood all the people might need and if they even need it,” he said. “If they even need it and there’s not enough blood for them, so think about all the people they will be helping if they do this.”
Donors may find their local Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Center by visiting their website or calling 513-451-0910.
