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Blood Drive In Honor of Dylan Snider – 5-year old Columbia Boy Burned in Bonfire Accident

February 2, 2010 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

On Dec. 23, 2009, 5-year-old Dylan Snider, of Columbia, Tenn., was playing with hot coals from a backyard bonfire when the bonfire exploded. Dylan suffered burns over 66-percent of his body.

He received his initial care, including the removal of his small intestine, at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt before transferring to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“His skin grafts, most have taken. There are some that they have to redo. We’re just waiting for the healing process to take place,” says Dylan’s mother Diana Snider.

Snider says the immediate goal is to get Dylan healthy enough for a small intestine transplant.

“His vitals are stable, no infections or fevers. He’s fighting and holding his own. He’s a strong boy. He’s a real strong willed boy,” says Snider. “Two days ago, he came off the ventilator. Now he is coming around and no longer sedated. The last two days he’s been upset and wondering what’s going on. He doesn’t understand what’s happened to him.”

Diana Snider, a former GM employee, describes her son as “your all-around boy.” “He goes 90 miles an hour from morning to night. He is charismatic. He likes taking photos of himself and others, he is flirtatious with girls and he makes friends with everyone,” she says.

Dylan, who celebrated his sixth birthday on Jan. 15, faces a long, painful recovery. He will likely require donated blood products, including red blood cells and plasma, throughout his treatment course.

You can help by donating blood in honor of Dylan Snider on Saturday, January 30th from 10am-2pm at 1st Baptist Church on Main Street in Spring Hill.

“I love the idea. Anything people do for us is very much appreciated and if it helps other children, it’s even better,” says Snider.

I’m afraid of needles and never gave blood. It’s changed my mind about blood donation. All you people scared of it, you don’t realize how much it’s needed until it hits close to home. The fear doesn’t matter when it affects your child. When it’s close to home, you’re going to give your heart,” says Jim Snider, Dylan’s father.

Donors may subscribe to Red Cross texting by sending redcross to 42227 or registering online at redcrossblood.org.

How to Donate Blood:
Log on to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code FirstBapSH19 to schedule an appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors younger than 19. Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more.