RISING SUN, Md. – Like many 4-year-olds, Georgia Callis loves to dress up as a princess, pose for pictures, and run around playing with her big brother, Gavin. And like any child her age, when her balloon popped in her face unexpectedly, she cried. The tears dried quickly, though, when her mother, Whitney, handed her a new orange balloon.
That was the scene at the second annual In Honor of Georgia Callis Blood Drive, hosted by the Community Fire Company of Rising Sun, Inc. and Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) on Saturday, September 20. The event is deeply personal for the Callis family: over the past few years, Georgia has received nine red cell and five platelet transfusions as she continues her battle with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Whitney, who serves as the blood drive coordinator, worked tirelessly to make this year’s event a success. She scheduled 52 donor appointments, and with the help of 15 walk-ins, the drive collected 51 lifesaving units of blood – nearly four times the amount Georgia herself has received.
“I want to help as many kids as I can, because people have helped us,” Whitney said. “We do this in September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we also held a toy drive for Nemours, where Georgia is treated. She’s still in treatment for leukemia and actually just received a blood transfusion last week, which makes it a little more special. Other kids will need it, too.”
During the drive, Georgia sat beside her mother, watching as Whitney donated blood herself — a poignant reminder of how deeply this mission is woven into their family’s life.
Considering all she’s been through, Georgia’s energy was unmatched. BBD Collections Supervisor Chelsea Akers was amazed that Georgia’s last transfusion occurred just a week ago. “You’d never know it just looking at her,” Chelsea said.
The event drew donors from across the community, including first-time participants and those returning after years away. Among them was Taylor Nickle, who last gave blood as a student at Rising Sun High School.
“It’s been a while and I saw the event on Facebook,” Nickel said. “I have kids that age. My eldest son is 3, and I couldn’t imagine what that would be like. I remember donating, and it felt good to do that. So, I figured I would help out. And, if I ever needed blood, I would hope people would help me, too.”
Georgia Callis’ story is the latest example of Cecil County’s extraordinary generosity. In 2025 alone, the community has rallied around three major pediatric patient-focused drives: In Honor of Hunter McCoy in April, the seventh annual In Honor of Maverick drive earlier this month, and now #GeorgiaStrong.
For Whitney, it’s a reflection of the place she calls home and a testament to how closeknit Cecil County is. Through Georgia’s story, and the generosity of neighbors who roll up a sleeve, hope and healing reach far beyond one little girl in a princess dress.
Visit delmarvablood.org to learn how you can help save a life, too.
