We will begin this article with a copy of a letter from the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department, Brent Blackmon. His words portray this situation the best.

-‘Long time Granbury Volunteer Firefighter Allen Brown has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). MDS, also known as “pre-leukemia”, is a group of blood disorders that can cause you to have low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells , and platelets. Allen has been battling this disorder during the past year and has fought a good fight. Allen was advised during his diagnosis that this was most likely a direct effect of his many years firefighting. Allen has been proudly and faithfully serving our community as an active member of the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department for a combined total of 20 years and has lived in Granbury his entire life. Allen was given the nickname “We Be” several years back by his cohorts for his verbiage on the radio. When headed to a call from the fire station, Allen would commonly say “County, we be en route.” Allen truly loves and appreciates his community which is why he continues to serve it even while fighting his illness. Allen is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments and blood transfusions which causes numerous side effects. However, Allen continues to serve in any way he can as an active member of the fire department and does so with the same positivity and passion as always. Allen will also require a bone marrow transplant in the near future and is still searching for a compatible donor.’ -Brent Blackmon

The blood drive has passed but they are still set up at the fire department off of Pearl St. taking swab samples until 1 pm tomorrow (3-11-19).

During March 9th, the drive was a definite success. A total of 95 donors showed up. Among those donors 68 were whole blood donors and 7 red blood cell donors. Red Blood Cell donation is important because they are equivalent to double the donation of a whole blood donation. There was also a total of 50 people swabbed for bone marrow matching.

There is also a GOFUNDME page set up so please donate if you can!