A Pella High School alumna, her friends, and family are rallying to find hope for those suffering from various blood disorders at Tulip Time.

Isabelle Hall graduated from Pella in 2016 and started classes at the University of Northern Iowa this past fall.

Family Friend Lori Parisee tells KNIA/KRLS life changed for Hall this winter when she was home for break from UNI.

“It was the holiday time last year that Isabelle was tired and that’s not really a thing that’s alarming when you’re in college and going through exams,” Parisee says. “Mom and dad did what they would normally do and take her to the doctors and put her on antibiotics and everything it just didn’t get any better so they had her further tested.”

“Before they knew it, they were in the throws of looking at Aplastic anemia.”

Aplastic anemia is a condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. Hall has since returned home after her diagnosis, as she’s unable to complete the day-to-day workload at college, but she’s working with professors to complete the semester. In the meantime, she’s also started to share her story through social media and in Cedar Falls to help find matches for anyone suffering through anemia or other blood disorders requiring marrow transplants.

Parisee says family and friends are hoping to begin the process of finding a potential match for a marrow transplant, which is the most effective way of treating the disorder.

A marrow donor registry drive will be held today from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sequoia Fitness through emBellish on 605 Franklin Street in Pella. Parisee says all that is needed is a cheek swab to begin the process of finding matches for those waiting for marrow donations.

“It is not just Isabelle that is on this list and certainly registering does not necessarily help us find find a match for Isabelle, but we’re just hoping if people have registries all over the country, that somewhere there will be a match,” Parisee says.

For more details about how to join the marrow registry, stop by the events this weekend or go to bethematch.org. A community event is also scheduled on Tuesday, May 16th at The Cottages (Hearthstone) from 5 to 7 p.m.

Contact Lori Parisee at 641-230-1233 for more details.