Red Cross Blood Drive Set for March 19 to Honor 15-Year-Old Boy Battling Rare Autoimmune Disorder
All who come to give blood or platelets in March will receive a $10 Amazon gift card
Noah Nabak. Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross.
Milwaukee, WI (March 17, 2024) – The American Red Cross, is partnering with the family of Noah Nabak, a 15-year-old boy who is battling MOGAD (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease), a rare autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, to host a community blood drive in his honor. The event is set to take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jefferson High School, located at 700 W. Milwaukee St, Jefferson, WI.
Noah is an energetic, fun-loving teenager in his sophomore year at Jefferson High School. He’s an honor roll student, and he loves tennis, participating in school plays, painting, and playing video games.
In May of 2022, Noah was diagnosed with MOGAD (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease), a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. MOGAD causes inflammation and potential damage in the optic nerve, spinal cord, brain and/or brain stem and can result in the following: vision problems or vision loss, difficulty processing information, weakness, tingling and numbness, problems with balance and coordination, tremors, muscle stiffness and spasms, slurred speech, seizures and more.
Once a month, Noah goes to Children’s Hospital for IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) infusion therapy to treat his symptoms. It takes around 150 blood and plasma donors to create just one bottle of the medicine he needs, and he goes through about three bottles a month.
“He just wants to be like every other 15-year-old kid. He wants to be able to drive, he wants to be able to get a job. If it wasn’t for IVIG every single month, I don’t know where we would be,” said Noah’s mom, Lauren Gauger.
Currently, there’s no cure for MOGAD. However, there are treatments to help speed the recovery from attacks, manage symptoms, and reduce the likelihood of symptoms returning. As
Noah’s fight against this disease continues; he will, without a doubt, require many more IVIG infusions in the coming months. For more information about MOGAD please visit www.sumairafoundation.org.
Donating blood, platelets, and plasma is quick, safe, and easy. The blood donation process takes about an hour from the time you arrive until the time you leave. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. The plasma donation process takes just a few minutes longer than donating blood. Blood donors of all blood types – especially type O − are urged to give now and in the weeks ahead.
As a thank-you for stepping up to help patients in need, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in March will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/March for details. Donors can also enjoy an assortment of donuts, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, sausage, juice and milk that will be available at the drive.
The American Red Cross of Wisconsin is also helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Recent Press Releases by American Red Cross
Boosting community health: Red Cross offers free A1C testing for blood donors in March
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Red Cross: Donors needed now to build up the blood supply
Feb 10th, 2025 by American Red Cross$15 e-gift card for those who come to give blood or platelets by Feb. 28
