Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Portland resident received 187 units of blood, platelets and plasma after 2010 car crash
PORTLAND, Ore. (Aug. 11, 2016) — For the fifth consecutive year, family and friends will hold a blood drive in honor of Cody Hermeling, who sustained life-threatening injuries in a car crash six years ago. Among those scheduled to attend the blood drive are members of Portland Fire and Rescue who pulled Hermeling from the wreckage.
The blood drive will be held on Aug. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yur’s Bar and Grill, 717 NW 16th Ave. with the support of Portland Fire and Rescue Station 22. Those who come out to donate will receive a $5 Amazon gift card claim code.
In 2010, Hermeling’s car was hit by a reckless driver. After being rescued from his crushed vehicle, Hermeling was transported to a nearby hospital where doctors gave him less than a 3 percent chance of survival.
The Portland resident sustained severe head trauma, numerous fractures and his ruptured spleen had to be removed. He was revived at least three times. Emergency treatments included 187 units of red blood cells, platelets and plasma.
Hermeling survived his injuries and has since endured 40 surgeries on the road to recovery. While the crash left him blind, he is otherwise healthy and well thanks in large part to medical care and volunteer blood and platelet donors.
“Cody would never have survived this horrific crash had it not been for the generosity of blood and platelet donors,” said Kathleen Boniface, Hermeling’s mother. “I remember asking one of Cody’s doctors what I could do to show my gratitude for all they had done to save my son. He said, ‘Please get people to donate blood.’ Cody nearly emptied the blood bank.”
Hermeling’s family took the mission to heart and began sponsoring an annual blood drive in 2011. The successful event has increased in size each year and has collected more than 350 pints of blood.
“This year, we have our biggest challenge to date with a goal of collecting 120 pints of blood,” said Boniface. “The amazing thing is that many of the first responders, police officers and firefighters who were on the scene of the accident come out each year to give blood. But we could definitely use the support of the community to reach that goal this year.”
The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types – especially O negative, A negative and B negative – to roll up a sleeve in support of the community blood supply and patients in need of blood transfusions.
Blood donation appointments can be scheduled by using the sponsor code CodyHermeling through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Blood donors also can save time by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About donating blood or platelets
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required when checking in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
###