I have been donating platelets on a regular basis for about two months now. Every other Friday (typically), I go down to the American Red Cross, sign in, go into a little room, answer some questions, get my iron checked, pick out a movie, sit back, relax, get hooked up to the apheresis machine, and enjoy my chosen movie. I am doted on with warm blankets and can even get my face scratched, if needed. I look around and see about 3-4 other people doing the same thing that I am....giving LIFE.
I know that the platelets that I give can save up to three people. If all of those 3-4 people can also save up to three people, that is 12-15 lives being saved over the course of two hours! How amazing is that!?!?!?
Knowing that you are saving up to three lives is amazing. You want to know what is even MORE amazing???? KNOWING that there is someone out there WAITING for YOUR donation because of a specific antigen that YOUR platelets match with theirs.
Today, after my donation, I was informed that a man named David was waiting for my donation. Today's donation didn't just go to the blood bank for the next available need, it went specifically to save David's life because of the antigen match. I have to say that is pretty freakin' amazing!
Seriously, I have said it before, I will say it again- Ethan is alive because of blood and platelet donors. He received countless transfusions during his leukemia treatment. Without the transfusions, he would not be here today. It is as plain and simple as that. Scott and I are forever grateful for his donors for saving our son's life. We are forever grateful for those people who took an hour (typical blood donation time) or two (platelets) of their time, faced their fears of needles and blood, and made the decision to donate LIFE.
Please, please, please- call the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE-LIFE and make an appointment, or go to http://www.redcrossblood.org/ to locate a blood drive. I hate needles going into my veins. I hate the nurses touching my arm to feel for my veins even more- it makes me cringe actually, but I do it because I am healthy and able. A fear should not keep you from giving life!
Ethan didn't have a choice to hate needles and opt out of the countless port-a-cath accesses. He was afraid each and every time, but it was necessary to save his life. YOU CAN DO IT, TOO, IN ORDER TO GRANT LIFE!!! Get past your hang-up's about donating blood/platelets! There are people out there that NEED YOU! DO IT! DO IT TODAY!!!!
*If you or someone you love has been blessed by blood donation, please comment! Let people know how important it is!!!*
Friday, May 14, 2010
Giving Life
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My Isaac also received blood about 8 times in his first two months of life. He was only 2 pounds 10 ounces and developed N.E.C. He had to have a lifesaving surgery to remove a section of his small intestine and wear a colostomy for several weeks. During his recovery he was to small and weak to get through it alone and required several transfusions to help him out. My boys are the campaign models for our local Red Cross blood drive going on in our area. I give blood as often as I can and my husband does the double red donations every four months. Thank YOU Kristen for your gift of life :)
ReplyDeleteChase is also alive because of donated platelets for his rare auto-immune heart disease! So cool that you know the name of who your platelets go to! How blessed you are to be able to pray specifically for David tonight!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! I have attempted to give blood a few times. Every single time my vein collapses before it is finished. The last time they think they got enough to actually use though. Once I have the kids in school (and I'm free!) maybe I'll try palettes.
ReplyDeleteSo cool that somebody is actually waiting for yours! (that sounds kinda bad- but I hope you know what I mean!)
We haven't been blessed by a donation, but do give regularly. My husband is a double donor and is a universal donor as well. I am visiting from Triad Smarty Pants...congrats on your recognition!
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