BUILDING COMMUNITIES
Griffin Gives Back:
And here’s how you can help!
By: Emily Rea
Four-year-old Griffin Riso is the picture of a happy, healthy child. He has an 8-year-old brother, Connor, a 6-year-old sister, Kelsey, loving parents and a huge, joyful smile. One would never know it today, but Griffin’s life began with a very rocky start. It is thanks to the American Red Cross, says mom Kim, that he is here today.
“Basically, Griffin was born with a rare platelet disorder in which they believe I developed some antibody during pregnancy that was passed to Griffin [and attacked] his platelets,” Kim explains.
Griffin’s doctors realized something was abnormal when his low temperatures throughout the day of birth led them to perform a complete blood count test to rule out any infection. “Everything came back perfect,” Kim tells, “except the platelet count. Platelets are the part of the blood that allow the blood to clot. Without platelets we could not control bleeding. A normal platelet count might range between 150,00 and 400,000. Griffin’s count came back at only 14,000.”
The doctors present were alarmed and very puzzled, as none of them had ever seen a case like his. The newborn was at risk for spontaneous, life-threatening bleeding, and blood transfusions were needed immediately.
“During all the confusion of discovering Griffin’s life was in danger, Hurricane Charley was barreling down on us,” Kim recalls. “The hospital was on lockdown, the entire coast and surrounding areas were in a state of emergency, and the windows of the NICU were boarded up around us. Griffin was not responding to the blood transfusions he was getting and the doctors became hopeless about his prognosis as his platelets continued to drop to as low as 8,000. We were racing against the clock.”
Kim in her desperation asked to give Giffin her own platelets, and idea the doctors dismissed. Finally, she was told that the American Red Cross were the only ones capable of harvesting the platelets, but it was doubtful they could be of assistance because of the hurricane.
“We were relentless until they finally agreed to contact the American Red Cross, and [we] were patched through to Dr. Moyne Kornman, our angel, in Charlotte,” Kim says. “Dr. Kornman got the ball rolling immediately. You would have thought her own child was lying there facing death. Over the next few days, she got a team of American Red Cross employees, volunteers and donors working together across the state to do whatever it took to save Griffin’s life.”
After a failed “Plan A,” blood relatives Kim and her father’ had their own platelets harvested as a last-ditch effort. With only a four-hour time window left, after which the platelets would be no good, the transfusion began.
“By morning Griffin’s platelet count was up to a whopping 459,000. ... Today, Griffin is a healthy 4-year-old boy who is very fortunate to be here thanks to the American Red Cross,” Kim says.
In order to show their enormous appreciation, the Riso family started an annual blood drive in the Wilmington community, one that has run every year since and is approaching its fourth anniversary.
“We look forward to watching our event grow each year ... In the past three years, we have raised about $7,000 and 170 units of blood,” Kim reports.
This year’s blood drive will be held in the West Port Community in Leland on Saturday, November 8th, from 8:30am-3:30pm. There will also be food, prizes, a silent auction, T-shirts, a bounce house, music, face-painting and kids’ crafts.
“Without community support and involvement, the American Red Cross could not continue to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and provide relief to victims of disaster,” Kim says, who also cites the services of the Red Cross to treat those with cancer, hemophelia and sickle-cell disease, as well as premature infants, accident victims and surgery patients. “You never know when it will be someone you know or love who will need [it]. Statistics suggest that about 70 percent of us will need blood at some time in our lives, but that only 5 percent of the eligible population actually donate blood.”
The Riso family is extending a challenge to help them exceed their previous record of 31 first-time blood donors; all donors at the event will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift card, and all first-time donors will be entered into a special drawing. Those who can’t make it to the event can go to the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross at 1102 South 16th Street and say they would like to donate in Griffin’s name.
“We want to help raise awareness and get more people involved so that other families will have the same chance at life that we were given for Griffin,” Kim says.
Donating to the American Red Cross will benefit a variety of services they are responsible for: blood services dedicated to providing a safe and adequate blood supply, disaster services for fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural and man-made disasters, health and safety services and preparedness programs such as first aid, CPR, swimming, lifeguard and babysitter training, armed forces emergency services, international services, and a variety of volunteer services. Any wishing to donate—whether it be blood, monetary or items for the auction or raffles—should call Kim at 910-200-4221 or send donations to Kim Riso, 1313 Wakefield Court, Winnabow, NC, 28479. Checks should be made to the American Red Cross with “Griffin Riso Blood Drive” in the memo. All contributions are tax deductible, and donors will be provided with a letter for records.
“Of course we can never repay them enough for our little guy, but [giving] them a little boost each year and raising public awareness about the vital services they provide to our region is our way of paying it forward,” Kim asserts. “A little sacrifice goes a long way! The American Red Cross motto says it all: ‘Together we can save lives.’”
The Wesport Community is located in Leland: Take the Leland exit and turn onto Route 133 South. Turn right into the WestPort subdivision at Captain Statue, then turn right onto Merestone Drive and follow the signs.
What’s your kid doing within the local community? Write KIDZink all about it for consideration to be published. Deadline for finished piece and photo is November 25th for the December edition.