UNC freshman in critical condition with H1N1 virus

By Gregory Childress

gchildress@heraldsun.com; 419-6645

Chapel Hill -- Mission accomplished!

That was the word coming from Zealan Hoover on Tuesday.

The UNC freshman from San Diego was referring to a blood drive he organized to collect blood for his friend Lillian Chason, also a UNC freshman, who is critically ill and on life support at UNC Hospital.

Chason, an 18-year-old dramatic arts major from Rhode Island, has been in the hospital since Nov. 20 after contracting the H1N1 virus.

"We're on track to meet our goal and exceed it a little," Hoover said when reached by phone Tuesday.

A goal of collecting 51 pints of blood was set to replace the large quantity of blood that Chason has used since being admitted to the hospital.

Chason is on an ECMO, a machine that is similar to a heart-lung machine. It is used to continue the supply of blood and oxygen while the heart is stopped, such as during open heart surgery.

Hoover said he launched the drive at the request of Chason's mother.

"I couldn't say no," said Hoover, who met Chason a few months ago. "It's something I would do for any of my friends."

Another friend, Dillon Rice, an 18-year-old freshman from Colorado, described Chason as an "intelligent and honest person." He said he got to know her while working on the play "A New Dress for Mona."

"She's really talented, incredibly talented and a lot of fun to be around," Rice said.

He said he was shocked upon learning just how sick Chason has become.

"It was like getting hit by something," Rice said. "It knocked me off my feet."

Chason's illness has garnered national attention, and thousands of well wishers are following her ordeal on a Facebook page titled "Prayers for Lillian."

The page contains numerous post from her father Eric Chason, who provides updates on her condition.

Attempts to reach him were not successful.