By Ngoc Vo

First National Bank is hosting the second annual Banking on a Cure, Pediatric Cancer Awareness Blood Drive today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is a personal fight for us,” said president of FNB John Ramage.

“We had an employee whose young daughter had lost her battle with pediatric cancer.”

All the blood will be donated in honor of Hadley Grace May, 3-year-old who was defeated by Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare muscle cancer.

According to Ramage, the blood drive is in junction with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. The blood donated will go to the organization chain of supply to local hospital.

“(Today) we will celebrate Hadley and will try to draw awareness to pediatric cancer and to all those who are battling with it,” Ramage said.

“Awareness leads to money which leads to research and finally, a cure.”

One blood donation can save up to three lives, Ramage said. FNB holds blood drives several times a year because person can give blood again 54 days after their donation.

“Every drive is built around pediatric cancer,” Ramage said. “We are a community bank. This is just another way for us to give back to the community. I don’t see us ever not doing it.

“We are only a small cog in a big wheel, but we try to do our part to raise awareness for the cause and to honor Hadley at the same time.”

Blood drive buses will be at both FNB locations at 137 S Main St in Brundidge and at 615 Park St.

Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with parental permission and a photo ID.

Donors must also weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Organizers will be giving out a special FNB Pediatric Cancer Awareness and a LifeSouth backpack to whoever donates.

For more specific information on donor eligibility, call 888.795.2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.