Copiah Nutrition hosts blood drive for Ledger Smith

By Jessica Breazeale

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Copiah Nutrition recently opened its doors for a cause close to the community’s heart — hosting a blood drive on behalf of Ledger Smith, a six-year-old Brookhaven boy fighting a leukemia relapse. The Mississippi Blood Services mobile unit came out for the event, and eleven donors stepped up to give on Ledger’s behalf.

Ledger, the son of Reid and Caitlyn Grace Smith, had been in remission, but became ill shortly after returning to school. He is currently in Jackson for an extended stay, requiring frequent blood transfusions as he battles through his relapse. Recently, his sister donated bone marrow to help in his fight. Communities across Copiah County and Lincoln County have been lifting Ledger and his family up in prayer for a long time, and his story has touched many hearts.

Those who wish to donate blood for Ledger can do so at any local blood drive or at Mississippi Blood Services in Flowood, using ID # EJ22.

The need for blood donations is urgent. Mississippi Blood Services has repeatedly sounded the alarm over critically low blood inventory levels across the state, warning that, without community support, essential medical procedures could be delayed and lives put at risk. Mississippi Blood Services relies on mobile drives in communities like Copiah County to keep blood on the shelves and patients cared for — and every local donor makes a direct difference.

For Copiah Nutrition owner Ana Mason, hosting blood drives is deeply personal.

“I choose to often host blood drives at Copiah Nutrition, because my best friend had an emergency C-section and almost bled to death because of an error — the doctor nicked a vein,” Mason said. “She is O-, and there was no blood available for her. I’m A+ and felt completely helpless that I could not donate just one pint. She literally lost half her blood supply. Immediately after that, I started hosting blood drives. Even during COVID, I continued to host and donate blood and platelets.”

The cause hit close to home again in 2021, when Mason’s own mother became ill and needed blood. 

“The blood supply was so low that I hosted a couple of emergency blood drives for my mom,” she said. “Within a two-week period, my mom went through fifteen pints of blood. I just wish more people truly understood why donating is so important. Without the generosity of blood donors, people like my mom would not have received life-saving blood — and she would not be here today.”

Those who are able to give are asked to make blood donation a priority the next time the opportunity arises. 

For more information about upcoming blood drives, donation locations or to register to become a donor, visit MSBlood.com.