KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A blood drive has been set up for a three-year-old Santa Clarita boy who is set to face his third open-heart surgery in February.
Rocky Graham is like many other toddlers in several ways. He is an active toddler who loves riding his scooter and playing with his family.
However, unlike most toddlers, Rocky is diagnosed with a congenital heart disease known as a double outlet right ventricle, or DORV.
“The surgery in March is his last open-heart surgery. Hopefully, it is the last one, he’s doing very good,” said mother Allyson Graham. “As far as we know with this surgery, we can be in the hospital from one week to one month. It all depends on how he recovers.”
Rocky was born on Oct. 24, 2016, to his mother Allyson and his father Mason, but he has been fighting his DORV since before then. His parents learned that Rocky had a “heart abnormality” during an ultrasound when Allyson was four months pregnant.
“Doctors explained that his heart had several holes, like about five or six holes, and his arteries were also crossed,” Mason said in a previous story.
Rocky’s heart defect affects its two major arteries, the pulmonary artery and the aorta, both of which are connected to the right ventricle.
See Related: 2-Year-Old Santa Clarita Boy Gets Ready For Third Open Heart Surgery (VIDEO)
In a normal heart, the pulmonary artery connects to the right ventricle, and the aorta connects to the left ventricle. However, DORV creates a problem because the right ventricle carries oxygen-poor blood, which then gets circulated in the body, according to Children’s Hospital officials
When Rocky was only two weeks old, he underwent his first open-heart surgery. Less than three months later, he underwent a second one. Now, his family prepares for a third, set to take place in March 2020.
“It is really, really important to us,” said Allyson. “This is blood that could save his life, but if another child needs blood we can help them too.”
As Rocky prepares for his third open-heart surgery, a blood drive has been set up for February, which is also Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Month. Any blood collected that does not match Rocky is set to go help replenish blood banks, helping other children in need.
“We’re just trying to get awareness for congenital heart defects, and so many children are born without having heart exams, we don’t even have a pediatric cardiologist in Santa Clarita,” said Allyson. “It doesn’t matter what blood type you have, and it only takes about 15 minutes for about a pint of blood. Donate blood, save a life. That’s what we’re focused on right now.”
The blood drive is scheduled to take place on Monday, Feb. 3, starting at 8 a.m. To sign up, click here.
To learn more about Rocky, visit his Facebook page “Prayers for Rocky” here.
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Would love to donate blood for Rocky but is there other dates for it.
We appreciate you and your blood is always accepted but this is our only blood drive scheduled for Rocky. You’re always welcome to donate at CHLA and if it’s before February 25 you can mention Rocky Graham’s name and hopefully it will go towards his transfusions! Thank you again. God Bless Allyson
If needed I will donate here is my pmand31589@att.net
Thank you!!
If it is a blood drive to help this little boy why not state what blood type is needed? That way people know if they have his blood type they will potentially be helping him.
Fortunately all blood is accepted. There is such a blood shortage that any blood donated that matches Rocky’s will go toward his transfusions. If the blood is not a match they can swap the blood with what’s available at the blood bank. We didn’t want to limit the blood drive to only Rocky’s match. This way the more blood that is donated the more children and babies lives will be saved. Thank you so much! We appreciate you all.
I’m from San Fernando but live in South Carolina I’m O- and a diabetic would love to donate if possible .
Thank you so much for considering donating blood. I will check the qualifications. I really appreciate you. Thank you
Reyna.nu84@gmail.com
Love to donate blood. What are dates? Does blood group has to match? Need more details.
Thankfully we had an awesome turnout and all of our donations were filled. We appreciate your interest and all blood donations are always welcomed. If your interested in donating blood CHLA is always welcoming blood donations and they will pay for parking!! Thank you again!! Allyson
I live just North of Santa Clarita and will donate if able; which donation centers will get blood to him for me?
Hi! Thank you so much!! Our blood drive is full!! Yay but if you want to donate blood CHLA is accepting donations and they will pay for your parking! Just let them know you want to donate to Rocky Graham and they will make sure the donation goes to him. If it’s not a blood match they will swap it out with his match at the blood bank. Thank you so much!! Allyson
My husband is a universal donor and we live in Newhall. Please email him info.
Blood type??
I believe am O+ am willing to donate if my blood type helps him.
Where do I go?
Dr. David Ferry is a fantastic pediatric cardiologist located here in Santa Clarita!
My daughter was born with the same thing. She had a Fontan in 1991. She’s a 52 time National Dance Champion, and now she’s grown and married (34 years) with a child of her own. Gifted Drs. Perform miracles!!!
Awesome !!!!!! This makes me so happy. We are so blessed to have amazing doctors!! I can’t wait for this to be behind him. Your daughter sounds pretty incredible!! CHD HERO!! Thank you for sharing her story xo
We have the information for Rocky’s blood Drive!! Thank you so much for the support and willingness to donate blood and save a life https://www.chladonateblood.org/index.cfm?group=op&step=2&opid=3577&opidh=171856816CA5928EC5A2CBCD4108263D&idt=43838.5490046