JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) — A Joliet woman has organized a blood drive for Thursday – her 17th – all of them her way to give thanks and give back.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports, it was in the fall of 2007 when 5-year-old Taylor Babec was diagnosed with lymphoma. Her mother, Jennifer, says Taylor needed 22 blood transfusions.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports

“And I’m like, if someone is taking the time to donate blood, I need to give back,” Jennifer Babec said.

So she organized a blood drive to pay back those 22 transfusions.

“You know, I could easily have just said, ‘OK, we have 22 people who gave blood. We’re fair and square now,’” Babec said. “No, I just want to make a little small difference in the world and keep on going from here. I have no plans of stopping.”

The blood drive is set for Thursday in downtown Joliet, with the help of the Will County State’s Attorney’s office.

“I do not want to stop this because there’s a need,” Babec said. “There’s a need.”

Jennifer Babec says blood drives she’s organized have brought in more than 900 pints of blood so far.

Taylor is now 10, by the way, and her mother says she is doing “very well.”

Taylor Babec poses for the 2011 Heartland Blood Center. (Credit: Jennifer Babec)