11/14/2005

My Red Cross Story

For years, I have been a member of the Red Cross, making donations. Every month, I get an email from Red Cross, encouraging me to donate again...and many of them include cute or inspiring stories about people that donate and why they do, or stories about people that receive donations. Now, I thought my story was pretty inspiring and though I enjoyed the emails, they made me feel a little ping in my belly...I wanted to share my story too. I finally found a place on their website that said, "Share your story", so I clicked on the link and emailed them my story:

In 1999, while pregnant with my first child, it was determined that I had HELLP syndrome, a potentially fatal complication with pregnancy that could take my life, as well as, the life of my unborn son. I was whisked into emergency surgery to give birth to my son to save both of our lives as my condition had worsened. During surgery, I was put under general anesthesia and given two pints of infused platelets as the condition of my pregnancy does not allow the blood to clot and platelets are needed to keep me from bleeding out during surgery. I was very lucky to successfully survive surgery due to the infusion of platelets that I received. After a lengthy NICU stay, my son, who was born at 29 weeks, lived as well and is a thriving 6 year old. In 2002, while pregnant with my second child, I unfortunately suffered the same fate and went into emergency surgery again to save my daughter, who was born at 33 weeks. Again, I received 2 pints of infused platelets to keep me from bleeding out on the table. This time, my situation was much more grave and despite the infusion of one pint, the bleeding would not stop...so they had to medi-vac up more platelets to keep me alive...AND IT WORKED! I'm living proof that blood donation SAVES LIVES and I am eternally grateful for the selfless donations that saved my life and gave me back to my family and children. My daughter survived her stay in the NICU and is a thriving 3 year old.

On the 1 year anniversary of my daughter's birth, I celebrated her birthday by giving back and gave my first donation of blood on May 31st, 2003. Come to find out, my blood is positive for CMV and I am giving back to numerous premature babies. Such an ironic twist! I have wanted to donate platelets, but every nurse begs me to keep donating my blood instead since CMV is so precious and needed....so I have, 5 times to date and I have encouraged 7 other people to donate with my inspiring story, all of which have, and numerous times to boot! I am so grateful for the Red Cross, which continues to inspire and preserve. Thank you!


Anyway, they responded...and in a huge way! The PR department at the Red Cross asked if me and my family would like to be in their nationwide publications, pictures and story. I was flabbergasted, what a gift! I have always been a huge campaigner for the Red Cross with blood donations myself, plus I have encouraged others to donate. I couldn't believe it. When I met with the lady from the PR department, she asked if I could speak on behalf of the Red Cross at public events. I was astounded. This is so huge! Today we're going down to the beach to take promotional pictures with my entire family. I'm so excited!

1 Comments:

Blogger beki said...

Wow Judi, that's AWESOME!! Congrats to you. I know you'll do a great job.

10:51 AM  

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