Meet Hans Weberling

Editor’s Note - Ryan Lawrence has given us an in-depth piece here about people saving people through the simple act of blood donation. And while we may not know the outcome of laying on a cot and filling a pint bag for those who need it most, Ryan does a great job of making it explicitly clear in this second of a two-part series. Click here for the first story.

By Ryan Lawrence
While meeting with the Red Cross I was introduced to Lara Weberling. Lara and her husband Kevin lost their 9 year old son, Hans, to a battle with pediatric cancer in 2012. 

Meet Hans

Hans with his sister Elle and Honey their faithful companion.

“He fought his disease like a Gladiator for nearly 6 years, until he ultimately succumbed to the disease in 2012 at age 9,” said Lara.

Lara and Hans

Hans was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a common type of pediatric cancer responsible for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths when he was just 3 years old. As you can imagine, standard treatment protocols were much different back in then in 2006. It consisted of a brutal 5 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and stem cell transplants with maintenance therapy. He had to go through a lot of treatment in his life.

But Hans powered through it. His attitude was always “let's get this done!”  said Lara. 

His motivation was to get back home; to his family, his 3 cats Black Orange and Cotton, and his canine companion; a golden retriever named Honey.

In his 6 year battle, Hans received many blood transfusions and blood-related products. Getting labs was a regular part of life and was an activity they would do at least two times a week.  Labs would reveal if packed red blood cells or platelets were needed. And these products came from (yep, you guessed it) donated blood. 

“We have always been grateful to blood donors in our community who pay it forward by giving blood so the products are ready on the shelf when needed. Our family would like to extend a huge thank you to the community of The Dalles!  We see how you come out in droves to support the Red Cross blood drives.”  said Lara and Kevin Weberling.

Earlier family photo of the Weberlings

After the Weberlings lost Hans, Lara knew she wanted to go back to work. However, she wanted to change focus so that her work gave service to, and honored Hans’ fight. She just did not see how she could do anything that did not directly give back to children impacted by cancer. 

Lara had built skills networking and fundraising for childhood cancer research. She reentered the workforce as a fundraising campaign manager. After recently moving to Portland she found a position with the Red Cross as a Donor Recruitment Representative.

“It is a perfect fit for me, it is truly gratifying,” said Lara. “I get to help kids like Hans every day!” 

While Hans is no longer with us, there are countless children just like him in need every day. Children that rely on donors like you and me to make sure they can get the treatment they need. 

Lara and Kevin are originally from the PNW (Seattle and Ellensburg, WA) but life and work took them out of the region for the past 20 years to California and Texas.  They recently relocated to the Portland area and are proud to serve their community as a Donor Recruitment Representative for the Red Cross, and a Hydrogeologist for the State of Oregon. 

 They have two children, Elle and Hans.

Their daughter, Elle, is a recent graduate in Advertising at the University of Oregon. (Way to go, Elle!)

The Weberlings lost Hans in 2012, but honor his memory in ways they can.  They fundraise for childhood cancer research, serve as needed on panels and committees as parent reps.  They also write and speak about Hans’ story to raise awareness, inspire action, and bring hope. They let Hans’ light guide them in the pursuits of joy and purpose. 

Fall is usually a time when the blood supply recuperates from the lack of blood drives in the summer months. But the current Red Cross national blood supply is lower than it has been at this time of year in more than a decade.

“With the holidays now approaching, the Red Cross urges donors to continue to make and keep appointments now and in the weeks ahead to avoid impacts to patient care,” according to the Red Cross. 

Many patients across the country, and right here in the gorge, depend on the kindness and generosity of volunteer donors to keep a steady supply of blood on hand.

We at Columbia Gorge Community College and those at the Red Cross urge anyone eligible to donate to come out and do so on January 6th, 2022. 

The event will be held at 400 E. Scenic Drive in The Dalles (CGCC Campus) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the lecture hall. That is in Building 2 on the third floor. 

Eligible donors can follow this link https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=cgccthedalles to sign up and schedule a time to donate. If you have any trouble with registration, please contact Tori at tstanek@cgcc.edu. She will get you pointed in the direction.