Marc McConnell, 13, thinks the last three years have been God’s way to show "It’s your attitude that matters."

This young man has cultivated a positive attitude throughout a three-year battle with leukemia. Totally without self-pity, he invests his energy in creating the powerful weapons of positive attitude, prayer, pranks, focusing on available fun instead of the restrictions on fun, and keeping his eyes open for any way possible to "polka in the post-op."

Just the list of procedures he’s undergone in the last three years (almost one quarter of his life) would deflate the spirit of many adults: two full bone marrow implants, two stem cell boosts, many rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, sometimes medication around the clock and periodic photopheresis procedures(treatment of the patient’s white blood cells, which are exposed to ultraviolet light and then given back to the patient in order to improve his condition) to help handle a recent graft vs. host reaction.

But Marc and his family have rallied one another by persistently finding ways to create the best attitudes in the midst of the hard work. They have prioritized staying close to their friends. They’ve turned the frequent medical trips from their home in Loup City NE to Omaha into sightseeing trips. They’ve played puzzles, created Trivial Pursuit pop quizzes and made up pranks to combat their fears.

Two recent successful Red Cross Loup City bloodmobiles prompted Marc to say, "Do you realize when you give blood that you are giving someone a future? So many of you have been praying for me, calling me, sending me things and helping me in a way that you may not have realized. Your blood has helped me in my battle for life.

"How can I begin t tell you how important your blood is to everyone who fights a life threatening illness? So many times I have needed blood products. I have had over 50 blood transfusions and I’ve needed platelets at least that many times and plasma exchanges, too. That’s a lot of blood products for the Red Cross to find.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to give blood. Not only have you helped a neighbor or a friend or a kid like me, but you have given us all a chance at a long future."

Marc focuses on all that goes well. He says, "Every time I need something, God sends someone. All those donors don’t even know that they are earthbound angels to me."

For more information on how you can become a blood donor write or call the American Red Cross 3838 Dewey Avenue Omaha NE 68105-1196 (402) 341-2723.