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Can KC’s biggest Red Cross drive meet the historic need?

From left, Sarah Staley, Kara Berning, Johnnea Saulsberry, Charity Selber, Liz Phillips, Michelle Wiederin, Rebecca Wayland and Stacey Sperry,  all co-workers of Phillips, come together to donate at the 2021 blood drive. COURTESY PHOTO

by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org

OVERLAND PARK — While Katie Reynolds Scott was fighting for her life, she was fulfilling a purpose she never lost sight of: helping others.

“The fact that she was thinking about how she could help other people when she was near the end of her life shows what kind of person she was,” said Liz Phillips, Katie’s sister.

Katie, a graduate of Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park and Benedictine College in Atchison, passed away in 2018 at the age of 29.

She lost her life to a months-long battle with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

From left, Liz Phillips, Ryan Scott, Katie Reynolds Scott, Mark and Ann Reynolds and Molly and Dan Reynolds, with three of their children, pose for a family photo. COURTESY PHOTO

Before she died, Katie was busy coming up with a plan to start a local blood drive, knowing personally how critical blood transfusions were for her own battle.

“It gave her life,” said Ryan Scott, Katie’s husband.

“Immediately after [the transfusions], you’d see energy levels through the roof compared to where they were,” he continued. “It was pretty amazing.”

Phillips also witnessed the impact of the transfusions, which helped Katie continue her cancer treatment.

“The day after she had her blood transfusion, she was like a different person,” said Phillips. “She had so much energy and was able to enjoy life more.”

Ryan Scott offers a power red donation during the 2021 blood drive in honor of his late wife Katie Reynolds Scott. He plays a key part in organizing the annual drive in Katie’s honor. COURTESY PHOTO

The annual blood drive inspired by Katie, to be held Feb. 4  at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park, is the largest Red Cross blood drive in the Kansas City area.

Drives this year in her honor are also being held in Omaha, Nebraska; St. Louis; and Phoenix.

Since it started, blood collected from Katie’s drive has impacted 2,997 lives.

Katie Reynolds Scott’s vision for a blood drive has touched thousands of lives.

Held near the anniversary of her death, this year’s comes at a critical time, with the Red Cross declaring a national blood crisis on Jan. 11.

“It’s kind of like a cry for help,” said Scott, who serves on the board of the American Red Cross. “Doctors have to make potentially unfair decisions because they don’t have the resources to be able to treat patients.”

Scott said Katie’s drive wouldn’t be possible without the help of Renaissance Financial, where Katie worked.

Charlie Reynolds, Katie’s godson and nephew, poses for a photo underneath a picture of Katie at one of the blood drives held in her honor. COURTESY PHOTO

The amount of support he and Katie’s family have received from the company, as well as the community, has been moving.

“It is a very difficult time for our family,” said Phillips, “but the blood drive every year gives us the opportunity to celebrate her life again.”

“And it’s amazing to see every single person who shows up at that drive,” she continued. “Katie had an impact on their lives — whether they knew her or didn’t.

“They hear her story and they’re there to donate blood. It’s so awesome that we can see her living on through all of these people, [who are] taking the time to donate to help keep her memory alive.”

Katie Reynolds Scott, right, poses with Benedictine College soccer teammate Lauren Jackson. COURTESY PHOTO

Katie would surely be smiling down on those who give blood in her honor.

Although she played a key part in planning the first drive in 2018, she passed away the day before it took place.

“She was very excited for the amount of people we got for the very first blood drive,” said Phillips. “She really loved trying to get as many people [as possible] to participate.”

Katie’s family and friends recently took their efforts a step further, purchasing two Red Cross emergency blood vehicles displaying Katie’s name.

The vans will travel around the Midwest to transport blood from drives to a testing center in St. Louis.

Katie Reynolds Scott’s family has carried on her legacy, organizing a blood drive every year in her honor. It’s become the largest Red Cross drive in Kansas City. COURTESY PHOTO

Phillips is grateful for the chance to keep her sister’s legacy alive through a cause that was near to her heart.

“I think it’s a simple and realistic way to help other people,” she said. “All of us have somebody in our lives we’ve known who’s battled cancer.

“And a lot of times, people don’t know how to help. One thing is to go donate blood, because cancer patients will always need that.”

Scott hopes donors will understand the gravity of their gift.

“Whether it’s someone that needs blood from a pregnancy [complication], a trauma situation or cancer, people need blood,” he said. “There’s no discrimination.

“Your donation will save a life.”

Katie Scott inspired blood drive

Feb. 4
Sheraton Hotel
6100 College Blvd., Overland Park 66211

Donate blood

If you’re interested in participating in the Katie Scott inspired blood drive, visit the website at: redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.

Use the sponsor code “katiescott,” then click “See Times” and choose one that works best for you.

About the author

Moira Cullings

Moira attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park and Benedictine College in Atchison. She majored in marketing, minored in psychology and played center midfield for the women’s soccer team. Moira joined The Leaven staff as a feature writer and social media editor in 2015. After a move to Denver, Moira resumed her full-time position at The Leaven and continues to write and manage its website and social media channels. Her favorite assignment was traveling to the Holy Land to take photos for a group pilgrimage.

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1 Comment

  • Moira’s articles are always loving and inspirational….and this is one of her very special ones….so focused on sharing the story of a very special person…and we can all learn from this