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Kristine
an inspiration to me
a friend of mine was playing football with his siblings and hit his head. he had bleeding in his brain, which was fixed, but it re-triggered his leukemia. he died because there wasn't enough blood for his transfusions. he 18 years old. i give blood so that never has to happen again
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Kashmir
Anyone can be a superhero
My mom and my brother have been donating blood since they were younger and for a long time i just could not wait to donate blood so my junior year of high school the red cross was having a blood drive and finally i was able to donate and at first i was scared but the great staff was talking me through it the whole time and it calmed me, afterwards i felt great to know that i helped people with a great cause since then i have donated a second time and we have even introduced my dad into donatng and my sister cant wait until she can start donating i am going to keep donating for many many years to come especially since it only takes ten minutes or less. Now i believe that im a superhero cuz im saving lives.
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barb
A lifer
I give for those that can't. Whether they are afraid of the procedure, are on meds that keep them from giving, or fit any of the other criteria that deter people, I made a life decision, beginning on my first donation on 18th birthday, to keep as healthy a lifestyle as possible in order to give. I have given platelets, whole blood, and volunteered at blood drives. The staff at the Red Cross donation centers are always professional, helpful, and most of all thankful. That, and the fact that whole blood can save so many lives, makes it all is worth it. And the cookies and juice are an added bonus!
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Michael
Everyone can save a life...
I know giving blood is something that really is a great way to "pay it forward". It is so nice to know that some how some way a doctor is going to use my blood to help save someone's life. Thats such a cool thought! And it wasn't even that hard to do, especially when the blood drive was at work. I am going to set a reminder and try and donate more regularly.
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Dana
It's Never Too Late
My son was diagnosed with a rare life threatening disease in March 2010. While watching him receive blood and platelet transfusions from anonymous donors day after day did I realize the true importance. It was overwhelming to me to think that there are such generous people out there that take the time to donate blood products. What a selfless act from people you don't even know. It brought tears to my eyes. If it weren't for them he would not have survived. I am proud to say that I am a blood donor now. My first donation was May 2010. After my first donation I couldn't wait to make the second appointment and then the third. I am on my fourth and very proud that I can contribute to saving lives. I do regret not thinking about this years ago. Awareness & education is key here. Just think of how many more lives I could have saved. I am sad to say that it took my son being very ill to really make me think about being a blood donor. I guess it is never too late. When asked by other people how they could help while going through this trying time it didn't take me long to answer them to consider being a blood donor. Our two younger children have now been educated on the importance of blood donors and they cannot wait until they are old enough to start donating.
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Bonnie
Donating Platelets to Help Cancer Patients
I try to donate platelets at least once a year (I donate blood much more regularly, since they hold a drive at my office). When I found out that my sister-in-law had breast cancer, I thought about what I could do to help her… or others with cancer. Donating platelets came to mind.
My sister-in-law is currently going through chemotherapy. It’s been hard for her, the nausea and tiredness, but she has been a trooper and her spirit is up on most days. She has always been beautiful (inside and out), and I can honestly say, that she is just as beautiful with little/no hair! Hopefully, she will not have any need for platelets as she goes through her treatments/recover… but just in case.
I have always been a supporter of the Red Cross and have been donating blood since the early '90s, when I lived in California (I actually helped organize local blood drives). When I move to Oregon I continued to donate (hey, they have great cookies!) but wanted to do a bit more. So, I became a board member of the Willamette Chapter of the Red Cross in Salem for a few years (until I moved to Portland). While I was a board member, I learned about donating platelets (this was when they still used both arms).
Donating blood or platelets is something that I can do that will help someone less fortunate. I’m healthy, willing and able (and am O-negative, so am well loved…or at least in high demand).
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Kim
THE GIFT OF LIFE
I have been a donor since High School. My father was also a lifetime donor. When I was 20 years old, the Red Cross contacted me to let me know that the family of a small child requested them to contact me to let me know that my blood had saved their child. There is no better feeling. You know that your blood could be the blood to save someones life, but for me, just to get that call was a feeling that could not be described.
I have been on the recieving end of this also. Just a year ago I gave birth to my first born. He was a picture of health. However, I was the one to have complications. My family was told that I might not pull through. My body was shutting down. To make a long story short, I ended up recieving 6 pints of blood during my stay in the hospital. I do not know who the donor was, but I just want to say THANK YOU TO ALL THAT GIVE!! DONORS ARE DEFINITLY A LIFE SAVER!
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Milo
CARING PEOPLE
i always get nervious when giving blood but the nurses always make me laugh and make me relax and laugh and make me feel comfort at all times and let me know whats going on while giving blood and always with a nice smile and cheerful and they are great people to have around and i want to come back and give me blood to help save lifes thank you all for caring MILO J HOLEY
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Lindsey
My Reason for donating
My father passed away on January 20, 2008 -- and prior to that was in need of constant blood transfusions... my blood didn't match his, so I couldn't give him my own blood -- seeing just how many transfusions he had to have made me realize how grateful I was that people actually cared enough TO donate blood... and I began avidly donating in 2006 - to the present. Thanks to the special people that helped my father live just a little longer... hopefully the blood that I've donated has helped others.
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robert
Regular donor gives 97 pints
I have given 97 pints of blood. When my wife was ill in 2002 and needed 14 pints, I felt good that I was a regular donor. Somewhere along the way, the Red Cross told me my blood is given to children, which makes me happy. It is just something I believe in doing; like a civic duty. I actually can save other people's lives.
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