Mom raises funds and awareness to help others with blood cancer

Blood Cancer SUX raised nearly $800 to put together Buckets of Hope which will be given to patients fighting a blood disorder at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, Mercy Medical Center Sioux City and UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's.“All of us have been touched by cancer in some way, and I wanted to raise awareness of blood cancers and make a difference in someone’s life,” said Toby Ball, organizer and mom to five-year old Jacey Jo Ball a leukemia survivor. "These buckets are a way to bring hope and help to others fighting a blood cancer."On Saturday, April 5 friends and supporters of Blood Cancer SUX gathered at the Gateway Bar & Grill for a beer pong competition to raise funds to put the Buckets of Hope together. The evening included live entertainment, door prizes, a raffle and free food to support a great cause.Ball partnered with LifeServe Blood Center to help organize blood drives throughout the community which are held every 56 days. The next blood drive is Saturday, May 10 at the North Sioux City Senior Center, 301 Military Road North Sioux City, South Dakota from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. All donors will enjoy burgers flipped by the North Sioux City Fire Department and listen to Ben Grillet of the Red Dirty Turkeys."Blood donations often decrease during the summer months, donating at the Blood Cancer SUX blood drive is a wonderful opportunity to help boost the blood supply for patients just like Jacey Jo Ball," said Nicole Hanger, LifeServe Blood Center.For more information check out Blood Cancer SUX Club on Facebook or email Toby Ball at bloodcancersux@gmail.com.