The Suffolk community came to the American Red Cross blood drive at King’s Fork Middle School Wednesday in support of 17-year-old Hannah Goetz and her family.

There were 13 donors recorded in the first 90 minutes of the six-hour blood drive, according to Deanna Wyche, a Suffolk Public Schools bus driver and organizer for the blood drive.

“So far it’s been excellent,” Wyche said about the turnout. “I expect more people to come.”

Goetz is an Isle of Wight teen who recently had a double lung transplant after her lungs were removed because of a bad infection from pneumonia. Her father, Tim Goetz, is a physical education teacher at KFMS.

Literacy teacher Valerie Smith doesn’t give blood often, she said, but she came on Wednesday to help Hannah’s family.

“The King’s Fork community and everyone around are sending their thoughts and prayers,” Smith said. “We’re doing everything we can to support them at this time.”

Regular updates on Hannah’s recovery are made on her caringbridge.org webpage. According to the webpage, she was able to brush her teeth and use her cellphone on Tuesday, which is amazing since she’s struggled to raise and move her arms and fingers.

The Suffolk community can continue to help the Goetz family through this difficult time by making donations online and showing their support.

“Anything will help them, especially with the medical bills,” said Suffolk Public Schools bus driver and blood drive volunteer Sandy Wright.

Visit caringbridge.org/visit/hopeforhannah2 or search “Hope for Hannah Goetz” at gofundme.com.