Emily Tade, store manager of Alatr’d State’s Rice Village location, is battling leukemia.
Image: Courtesy of Rice Village
A Rice Village store is hoping to draw a crowd this weekend, but not for the reasons you might expect. Rather, faith-based women’s clothing boutique Altar’d State is rallying behind one of its own–store manager Emily Tade—and hosting a blood drive in her honor.
Tade, 37, was diagnosed with leukemia in April, and Altar’d State has partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center to host the drive outside the Rice Village shop at 2530 University Blvd. from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. this Saturday, July 14.
“I am honored that people are giving their time and blood to help save my life and the lives of others,” Tade said in a press release. “I am proud to be a part of the Rice Village and Altar’d State communities, and I thank MD Anderson for their constant support through my battle.”
All donations at Saturday’s drive will be credited to Tade, who’s eligible for MD Anderson’s blood replacement program, which gives cancer patients who have received blood transfusions a $25 credit toward their bill for every donation of whole blood, platelets, or double red cells given at a drive.
“This blood drive is a way for us to give back to MD Anderson Cancer Center, honor Emily, and empower her during her battle with leukemia,” general manager Donna Molho said. “Our hope is that this drive raises awareness for blood donation and informs donors [of] the great impact they have with a donation.”
Blood products, which can’t be manufactured, can be as vital as traditional medication to certain patients. Leukemia—itself cancer of the blood cells—and some types of chemotherapy can lead to anemia, low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and damaged bone marrow, the ASCO says, and healthy blood is often needed to replenish a cancer patient’s supply. Leukemia patients often undergo period transfusions.
Tade will be in attendance at Saturday’s drive, which is open to the public, and Rice Village encourages other patrons of the shopping district’s 40-plus retail and restaurant options to donate.
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