A lifelong athlete, Toya Releford was familiar with fighting for the ball on the basketball court. But at 22, she entered the fight of her life off the court after being diagnosed with uterine cancer. Releford underwent a complete hysterectomy and like many cancer patients, she needed a blood transfusion following surgery.

In 2006, there were 1.4 million new cancer diagnoses made in the United States. Nearly all of those newly diagnosed with cancer and receiving chemotherapy or related therapy will need blood or blood products at some point during their treatment. You can join the battle against cancer by donating blood at the Red Cross blood drive at the Altus Community Center hosted by the American Red Cross Chapter in Altus on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from noon to 6 p.m.

"I continue to be so grateful that a total stranger would help me battle cancer in such a personal way," says Ms. Releford. "Where would I, or anyone else fighting cancer, be without these heroes who help by donating blood? The last thing I needed to worry about during my illness was if blood was available.”