PRINCETON — These days, Ethan Perkins is making the most of his summer riding his bike and playing under the sunshine.

These days are dramatically different than the summer of 2007, when Ethan’s mom, Amanda, recalls she first noticed her 2 1/2-year-old son’s overwhelming fatigue and the bruises that steadfastly refused to heal.

Ethan was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on Aug. 16, 2007, and his family began the grueling cycle of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and constant testing to see if the little boy with a big smile could really reach remission.

Like a trooper, Ethan fought his way through chemotherapy and progressed quickly. There were several times, however, when the process simply grew too much for the little boy battling for his life.

“He was doing really well on the chemo, but when his healthy blood cells started running low, he’d get really tired and lethargic,” American Red Cross’s Troy Stiffler recalled during a recent blood drive at Mercer Mall. “As soon as doctors could get him in for a transfusion of blood products, Ethan started feeling better.”

Thankfully, Amanda Perkins said there was always enough blood in local banks to supply Ethan’s needs. The grateful mom never took the liquid gift of life for granted, though, particularly when supplies ran extremely low.

Since his diagnosis and initial treatment, Ethan has entered remission and made a recovery akin to a miracle. He may not remember much of his ordeal, but Amanda Perkins can recall every minute and each time someone else helped save her baby’s life.

Her desire to give something back led the Perkins family to team up with the American Red Cross in 2008 for the first blood drive in honor of Ethan. The second annual event is slated for July 30 at the Princeton Church of God 12 p.m.—6 p.m.

The drive comes at a time when Stiffler said blood supplies, particularly for negative blood types, are approaching emergency levels.

“The last 10-15 days, we have really struggled,” Stiffler said. “We’re only averaging about 70 percent of our quota.

The Appalachian Red Cross website, arcgivelife.org, reports that a blood supply of at least five days is an optimum level, because the shelf life of blood products is limited.

July’s Appalachian averages for negative blood types were all at one day’s supply or lower. Levels for positive blood types were much more stable as of last report, but all types are appreciated, because blood and its products are only viable for donation for up to a maximum of 15 days.

In addition to hosting blood drives in honor of people fighting cancer, the ARC also offers a host of incentives to draw donors.

For example, every donor who gives a pint of blood through August will be entered into a weekly drawing for $500 to be used toward a vacation at the dream destination of the recipient. The winners are not identified completely to safeguard confidentiality rules, but Stiffler reported last week’s winner was a Princeton man.

In addition, Ramey Motor Company has stepped in to assist by offering a Chevy Aveo to be used as the prize in a drawing among donors who register at ARC blood drives in July, August and September. Each month, 60 donors’ names will be drawn and entered as finalists in the campaign. At the conclusion of the program, all 180 finalists will be invited to Ramey to celebrate the summer blood drive initiative, and to witness the drawing.

The winner must be present to win and will be required to provide valid identification in order to drive away in the vehicle.

Stiffler said he always recommends that anyone wishing to donate blood get plenty of rest and drink extra fluids the day of the donation. Other than that, West Virginia requirements mandate that donors be at least 16 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds.

Beyond that, Red Cross employees will check each donor to ensure that his or her blood pressure, temperature and iron levels are within safe limits for the donor.

For more information on Ethan Perkins’ journey toward remission and recovery, stop by the Princeton Church of God on Oakvale Road Thursday, 12 p.m.—6 p.m.

To learn more about the American Red Cross and local blood donations, visit arcgiveblood.org.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.