BY SARAH FADER AND ALANA ECKELS

Staff Writers

A blood drive and bake sale at the high school on Saturday in honor of a 1-year-old fighting a rare blood cancer drew 137 donors.

The blood collected at the drive could be used by 369 patients, history teacher Kate Deemer said.

“I felt pretty proud about that,”Deemer said.

The drive aimed to replenish blood used by Bella Smolko, who was diagnosed in September with Langerhans cell histiocytosis at the age of only 8 months.

“It was an extremely huge and helpful turnout for the Baldwin community,” Deemer said. “We hope by next year that Bella is healthy, but that wouldn’t decrease the need for blood in the area.”

The junior class and National Honor Society helped with the blood drive.

The bake sale, meanwhile, raised $250, which will go to Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund.

This blood drive had a personal meaning for some Baldwin teachers. Biology teacher Stephanie Neal  is Bella’s aunt, history teacher Katie Temme is Bella’s godmother, and Deemer is a good friend of the family.