Thank you, Blood Donor

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This is one of the last family pictures we have before my mom got sick. Cancer sucks and sometimes the cure wreaks havoc on the body. Chemotherapy not only kills the bad cells, it kills the good cells too. The very river of life that flows through your body becomes compromised. If you are lucky, complications can be improved with receiving blood from a donor.

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This is one of the last family pictures we have before cancer invaded our family.

My mom began her battle with breast cancer in December 2009. The chemotherapy was brutal. Lost hair, mouth sores, exhaustion and random aches and pains. After one particularly grueling round of chemo, my mom had difficulty breathing. When the issue didn’t resolve itself, she was hospitalized. The doctor recommended a blood transfusion.

I had been a blood donor before but at that moment, it struck me. This donor was giving my mom her life back.

What chemotherapy was trying to undo, this superhero in a plastic back was going to fight back. Someone, somewhere had taken time out of their day to make a big difference in a small amount of time.

Someone, somewhere, took time out of their day to help save my mom.
Someone, somewhere, took time out of their day to help save my mom.

This moment renewed my interest in becoming a regular blood donor. I’m not afraid of needles. I can carve out an hour every few weeks for people to let me lay down in peace. I can appreciate the kind words they throw my way. I can follow the advice of a professional who tells me to eat sweets afterward. It’s always enjoyable and the people are always personable.

But, not just people fighting the good fight against cancer need blood. Premature babies need blood. People who have been in horrific accidents may need a blood saving transfusion. Cardiac patients rely on blood transfusions during their surgery to sustain them until their heart can return to normal functioning.

The bottom line is there is no replacement for human blood and giving your blood to someone in need can save lives. One pint can help up to three people.

Joely Bear blood donor session
Simply, donating blood can save lives.

January is National Blood Donor Month and although I have been a casual donor without giving much thought to the recipients, being on the receiving end of a grateful family renewed my interest and passion for giving. If you are able, please give. You can literally save someone’s life.

Has donated blood made a difference in the life of someone you know?

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Kristen McGuire
Kristen is a wife, mother and full-time special education teacher. Born in Connecticut, she has lived in Washington, DC, North Carolina and now happily calls Columbia home. Her children, the tortoise and the hare, were adopted from South Korea and are now 7 and 4. This “Dawson’s Creek” enthusiast was convinced if she scored a spot as an extra on the show, a famous actor would fall in love with her and whisk her away to pursue a life of parties and Prada. She scored the spot, but not the actor. With a chronic case of Wanderlust, she can be found day-tripping throughout the Carolinas and planning excursions to visit family across the US. She could be a contestant on "World's Worst Cook" as she has ruined instant pudding not once...but twice.

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