Indiana-Ohio

Cancer has hit my family’s women pretty hard, and I know first-hand just how important blood donations are.      I started donating blood and platelets to help people undergoing cancer treatment. Several of the women in my family were diagnosed with various types of cancer.  Platelet and blood transfusions were a vital part of their treatment.   Last year, I attended a cancer benefit with my sister, a 14-year breast cancer survivor. We were sitting at a table, and the woman next to me commented that she had received a platelet transfusion earlier in the week. Then I told this lady that I had given platelets the weekend before. It turned out that me and my table-mate shared the same blood type!  While I don’t know for certain, I think it’s possible that this lady received my platelets. It gave me chills just thinking about it. She was very thankful and it gave me a really good feeling, and made it more personal for me seeing someone that I may have helped personally.   Sadly, my mother passed away recently, after a battle with cancer herself.  I know what my Mom went through.  Donating blood and platelets is my little way of contributing and helping others out. That’s why I do it.