NewsTreasure CoastRegion Indian River CountyVero Beach

Actions

People donate blood on behalf of 14 year old burned in bonfire accident

Posted at 6:41 PM, Jan 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-05 07:26:28-05

The community continues to rally around the 14-year-old girl who suffered burns on 95 percent of her body from a New Year's Eve bonfire accident in Fort Pierce. In addition to donating money on Layne Chesney's behalf, they're also donating blood.

"It's the one way that you can be a super hero without having to wear a cape," said Charlene Carter, who is close friends with Layne's mother.

OneBlood has an account set up in Layne's name that people can donate blood to from any OneBlood location.

Carter donated for Layne Thursday. She's O Negative, a universal blood type. She donates blood regularly.

"Two years ago, I realized how important it was when one of my other close friends, she was diagnosed with leukemia," Carter said.
 
The blood will be tagged for Layne and if it's not an exact match, it'll still go to someone else in need. Layne's blood type is O Positive.

Carter said Layne's mother has said the hospital has blood available for her, but she'd appreciate any donations made under Layne's name that will help others.

Layne remains in a medically-induced coma. Carter says Layne had surgery Thursday for a collapsed lung after a blood clot formed. 

"Layne's going to be fighting for her life for a while," Carter said.

She says doctors have been cautiously optimistic about her recovery and predict she could need treatment for a year.

“She can do it," she said. "She’s got this.”

Layne's favorite singer, Billie Eilish, also recently recorded a video for her saying she loves and supports her.