Church hosts blood drive for Coast toddler diagnosed with leukemia

First Missionary Baptist Church in Bay St. Louis held a blood drive for a two-year-old Coast girl fighting a brave battle.

Amora Swanier was diagnosed with acute leukemia back in May. She has been overcoming battles since birth, from being born prematurely to now having a rare form of blood cancer that’s keeping her from walking.

The church’s goal was between 40 to 50 donors and within three hours of pumping, 30 people gave blood.

Pastor Allen Jenkins hopes the blood drive will inspire more people to donate blood for those in need.  “We’re excited because the two-year-old who inspired this, Amora Swanier, her aunt is a member of the church and so when she started promoting this drive about three months ago, we assumed that church members and the church community would come out. We’re so excited that even passersby are stopping by to give blood. So, the whole community is involved and that’s what it takes.”

The church plans on doing another blood drive in December in honor of Swanier.