Back in
2009, my then 3 year old daughter Elise, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Cancer
treatment in children is very aggressive. After each round of chemotherapy
(there were six rounds total) she was hospitalized no less than three weeks
while her blood counts were monitored daily in hopes of fighting off infection
that could threaten her life. During that three week period (it was often longer
than three weeks), Elise received numerous blood and platelet transfusions.
There were many things that we kept track of, but the number of transfusions
was not one of them. It is safe to say that she easily had dozens of pints of
blood and platelets during treatment for cancer. Eventually, she was able to get
her cancer into remission where it has stayed ever since. This would not have
been possible without the lifesaving blood that came from donors from all over.
Prior to
Elise getting sick I was never inclined to donate blood. I did not have a good
reason not to donate, I just never really considered doing it. What was the
point? I don’t recall ever really knowing anybody that needed blood and my
family was relatively healthy. Seeing the amount of cancer patients in the
hallways where Elise spent her time made it really obvious to me that there was
a huge need. This was only one facility and it only served kids. There were at
least a dozen cancer centers in the area that served a wide variety of people.
I am positive their needs were the same.
One of the
most touching tributes some friends did for our daughter was to contact the
American Red Cross and organize a blood drive in her honor. Hundreds of people
came and donated blood that day. Whether Elise received any of the blood
donated that day didn’t really matter to any of them. She had raised awareness
that there was a need and people were glad to help in some way. Although this
is our story, you likely know someone that has needed blood. There is no way to
plan for that need. Accidents happen, people get diagnosed with life threatening
diseases, and unexpected events are prevalent in all of our lives.
Donating blood is one of the great ways you can give to people and it doesn’t cost you anything more than a little bit of your time. They encourage you to eat well, drink lots of fluids, and they even provide snacks. It doesn’t get any better than that! What if donating blood makes you feel a little funny? Just imagine how those people feel that need your donation. I hope you will consider donating blood and donating regularly. You could have an impact on hundreds of people in your lifetime. You will likely impact a family just like mine and I can tell you that they will be thankful!
