VIDALIA — Ten years ago, Ferriday resident Marie Blunschi fought and battled with cancer until she was declared cancer free.

The cancer recently returned in a different form, leaving the 86-year-old Blunschi in bad health.

Blunschi is battling colon cancer now, and her body no longer produces red blood cells due to the chemo treatment received for lymphoma.

“She has had massive amounts of blood transfusions over the past few months,” Blunschi’s daughter-in-law Jenny Blunschi said.

Blunschi has received more than 25 units of blood and 10 units of platelets in the past six months, and it is likely she will have to continue to receive transfusions throughout the course of her treatments.

With no way to produce red blood cells, Blunschi needs help, and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking the community to support Blunschi by hosting a blood drive where all the donations go to her.

The replenishment blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 9 on the Ferriday side of the Concordia Parish Courthouse, 4001 Carter St. in the LifeShare Blood Center bus.

All blood types are being accepted, but not all blood will go directly to Blunschi. She will receive credit for the amount donated and be able to obtain that amount from LifeShare.

Jenny said she and her entire family are very grateful for the CPSO putting a blood drive together.

“This is priceless,” she said. “Having the office come together and do this for us. It really helps us out.”

Jenny also said LifeShare and the CPSO have been there to help the Blunschis before.

“They have both been there every time to provide when we needed them,” she said.

Jenny also wanted to thank CPSO Public Information Officer Kathleen Stevens for putting the blood drive together.

“Mrs. Stevens has been very instrumental time after time,” she said. “If there is ever a need or concern, she has been there to help us.”

Jenny said Blunschi has not let her second battle with cancer get her down.

“She is always in the hospital, but she still has her sense of humor and she is really feisty,” she said. “We all appreciate her humor and her sense of staying alert and on top of things.”

Photo ID cards are required for blood donations.

For further information regarding the blood drive, contact Stevens at 318-336-5231, 318-757-3162 or 318-386-2200.