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Health and Nutrition Life in general Motherhood and Pregnancy

Strength

When disaster strikes, the way it has recently in Haiti, people wonder what they can do to help.

Watching footage of people being pulled from rubble from the comfort of our living rooms can make us feel powerless, especially in our current economy, when many people can’t donate much to relief funds.

But there is something most people can do, and it doesn’t cost a dime.

Give Blood

Give it now, in the midst of major catastrophe, and give it later, when time has brought about complacency.  Give it for the heroes, for the needy, for the woman behind you on line at Starbucks.

I am that woman.



This is my family in crisis.  My family that would be incomplete, were it not for blood donors.

Here you see a phenomenally strong and able-bodied man, gently cradling his newborn daughter and holding his wife’s hand as medical professionals try to force her uterus to stop bleeding.  He is the epitome of strength, and yet he is powerless to save the woman he loves.

My husband, one of the strongest people I have ever known, held my hand.  He helped me through the pain, he kept me from fading away.

But it was blood donors (with the help of a fabulous midwife and countless doctors, nurses, and EMTs) who saved my life.  I hemorrhaged severely three times after giving birth to Blythe.  During the second and third hemorrhages, which occurred in less than 24 hours, I lost seven pints of blood. 

My body only holds approximately eight pints of blood. 

I am alive today because eight random strangers took the time to give their blood and plasma.

Giving blood saves lives.  It saves lives in times of worldwide tragedy, and it saves lives every single day, for people whose stories will never make it onto the 5 o’clock news.

So, give.  Give now and give often.  Go to www.redcrossblood.org, or www.BloodSource.org to find out where, how, and, if I haven’t yet convinced you, why

You never know when you will be the one in need.

*you can’t see it very well in this photo, but jeremy just so happens to be wearing his “Don’t Be Chicken: Give Blood!” t-shirt (from bloodsource) in this photo.  coincidence?  i don’t think so.*

17 replies on “Strength”

You are amazing, as is that picture. My own experiences ans stories like your are why I’m working towards a nursing career. Please don’t ever stop writing. I hope someday you post your birth videos as well.

Wow, I hope this story inspires more people to give blood. I too benefited from the acts of strangers when I hemorrhaged about a week after Maya was born. I lost a lot of blood and needed a transfusion after the surgery to repair the damage. I am so grateful to those who give blood, it truly does save lives, everyday.

Wow. Fabulous reminder. I’ll make sure to donate soon – I had 2 pints given to me after the surgery to repair my femur, years ago.

Your story is amazing. Wow. *hugs*

I’m finally catching up on my reader. I am NINE posts behind with you! Sheesh. I might not finish all tonight, but I will by tomorrow. 🙂

Having said that, I am TERRIFIED of needles. I have mentioned before in my own posts that I put off bloodwork (for years) while I was very very sick because I was so afraid. However, I would still donate blood. I need to check and see if I am eligible now. I wasn’t for a while because I lived in another country during certain years where bad diseases were happening, and I wasn’t allowed. Maybe I can now. Because you’re right, fears be damned when you can save a life. Especially after I just wrote my own post on the importance of helping others! 🙂

And BTW – You’re husband ROOOCKS! You should convince him to actually.. you know.. tweet with that account of his. 🙂

How right you are. I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve never donated blood. I’m not afraid of needles. I don’t have a medical condition that prevents it. I’m just lazy, which really means I’m just selfish. Instead of telling you that I hope your post inspires people like me to someday donate, I’m happy to report that it actually has. I just logged onto bloodsource.org and scheduled a donation appointment for Friday. So, thanks. And I’m pretty sure whoever ends up with my blood thanks you to. Way to make a difference, my friend.

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