Blood Drive Held In Memory Of Tulsa Child

News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A heart defect took her young life.  Now, her memory is inspiring others to donate the gift of life.

Emma Routh was born with a rare congenital heart condition.  She had open heart surgery when she was just six days old.  Her mother said she had too many blood transfusions to count.  But, she lived for only three months.  Emma would have turned one this week.

Her mother wanted to do something special for her birthday.  So. she worked with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to host a blood drive in Emma's memory.

"When you lose a child, you somehow want their life to not be forgotten. And, you want their life to make a positive impact in others. So, it means the world to us," said Emma's mother, Sonia Lopez.

The blood drive was held at Bounce-U.  While the adults donated, the kids played on the inflatables for free.

Sonia Lopez says every two seconds someone in the United States will need blood.