Jade Shapiro

Eight year old Jade Shapiro was diagnosed in April, 2003 with aplastic anemia, a condition that results from the failure of bone marrow to produce blood cells. Platelet transfusions are necessary in many cases to prevent fatal hemorrhaging. Since Jade's diagnosis, she has received chemotherapy and blood transfusions on a regular basis.

Until her blood is able to regenerate on its own, Jade's need for transfusions will continue. Together with her parents, Nancy and Rick Shapiro, Jade is very supportive of the American Red Cross and is dedicated to helping people understand how critical the need for blood and platelet donors is. While Jade's photograph appears in a number of American Red Cross advertisements and promotions, Nancy and Rick have demonstrated their support by participating as speakers as American Red Cross press conferences, and have also helped promote area blood drives within the community.

Learn more about aplastic anemia here.

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Christopher Gipson

At birth, Christopher Gipson was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disorder that is characterized by chronic anemia and episodes of pain. Unlike normal red blood cells which last approximately 120 days in the bloodstream, sickled red cells die after 10 to 20 days, resulting in a chronic shortage of red cells in a patient's blood. One in every 12 African Americans carry the sickle cell trait.

As a result of his medical condition, 16-year-old Christopher must receive blood transfusions on a regular basis. Every six weeks, he checks in for an overnight stay at Howard University Hospital, where he is transfused with nine units of blood.

As a way of educating people in the community about the constant, daily need for blood, Christopher and his mother Cynthia serve as testimonial speakers for the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region. On behalf of the American Red Cross, the Gipson's have participated in a number of media-sponsored blood drives and educational programs, have spoken at press conferences and have attended special events designed to raise local awareness of the need for blood donors.

Learn more about sickle cell disease here.

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Tucker Haas

In November 2002, Lisa Haas found a lump on her son, Tucker's face while rocking him in their home. After a consultation with the family pediatrician, the family was devastated to learn that the lump was in fact a soft tissue tumor called sarcoma, a form of cancer. Their normal routine changed drastically at that point.

Every three weeks for 18 months, Tucker would receive chemotherapy. After the first treatment, the tumor shrunk by 80 percent. During this time, Tucker required five to six blood transfusions and one platelet transfusion. After the transfusions, Tucker's color began to return. The cancer has spread to one of Tucker's ribs, which eventually needed to be removed. The lump near his ear could not be removed through surgery, due to its connection with his vitals, including his ear, sinuses, and brain. At Johns Hopkins Medical Center , Tucker received direct radiation for thirty consecutive days to burn the tumor.

Tucker has now been in remission for eight months. He enjoys the normal, active life of a five year old boy. He plays basketball daily, and enjoys spending time with his family playing air hockey and swimming in the family pool.

Learn more about pediatric sarcoma from the Sarcoma Alliance.

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Jennifer DeWitt

On February 7, 2002 , Jennifer DeWitt's life, and that of her family and friends, was turned upside down. At age 24, Jennifer was involved in a nearly fatal car crash while on her way to meet her friends for dinner. Her car was struck by a speeding motorist traveling more than 30 miles over the speed limit. After the crash, Jennifer was immediately flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, where Dr. Tom Scalea, Chief Physician at Shock Trauma, and his team, performed an operation removing Jennifer's ruptured spleen, which was causing internal bleeding. Jennifer had also fractured both hips, injured her brain stem, suffered a broken clavicle, a collapsed lung, along with countless other maladies including double vision. Her injuries were so severe, that her parents arranged for a priest to administer her last rites.

Jennifer received several blood transfusions, including five units of red blood cells, seven units of platelets, and two units of plasma. She laid in a coma for two months, until she finally woke up to the sight of her weeping mother on April 8. Almost immediately, Jennifer began the long and difficult process of rehabilitation, which included the need to relearn normal tasks such as talking, writing, and walking. She continues to undergo medical procedures to repair scar tissue on her face and stomach.

While Jennifer's road to recovery is not complete, she is now able to perform the basic functions that seemed hopeless shortly after her crash. She recognizes the availability of blood as an essential part of her survival. “If you are a person who donates blood and is not quite sure how your contribution helps,” Jennifer often reminds audiences, “take a close look at me. I am a person who needed blood, and without donors … I would not be here today.”

Jennifer is now 26 years old, and lives in Bel Air, MD with her mother, Mary Ellen, her father, Doug, her brother, Jason, and her dog, Kelsy.

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Morgan Faith Keane

Three open heart surgeries, one abdominal surgery and two cardiac catheterizations – all during Morgan Faith Keane's first year of life. Morgan has received two donated heart valves, and she received countless units of blood from donors to the American Red Cross Blood Services, Northern California Region. Morgan's mother, Angela Keane of Alameda, says, “I can't tell you how many units of blood Morgan has received in her short life, but I will tell you this I am paralyzed with gratitude every time I see the bag hanging there...I try to imagine what the person who donated it would think knowing they were saving my beautiful little girl. So please if you can, donate, it DOES matter and it DOES save lives!"

Morgan was born with HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) which means a chamber of her heart was missing. She has had repair surgery and will need more surgery when she is older. She has spent much of her first year of life at Children's Hospital in Oakland .

Her parents are asking friends and strangers alike to donate blood in Morgan's name in honor of her first birthday on April 14.

Learn more about Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome from the American Heart Association.

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Conor Michael Penix

In 2003, a pregnant Faith Penix found herself in the doctor's office, processing the information her physician was giving her. She had just been diagnosed with preeclampsia, a condition where a woman's body reacts negatively to the baby inside, causing the blood pressure to rise out of control. This condition can cause strokes and sometimes death. The only cure for this condition is to deliver the baby. Therefore, Conor Michael Penix was born at 25 weeks gestation (approximately 3 ½ months premature). He weighed only 1 lb. 4 oz. and could fit in the palm of his father's hand. Because Conor was born dangerously premature, he required blood tests several times a day. His body was not prepared to replace this blood. Many times during his first couple of months, he received the gift of life in the form of whole blood and platelets from the Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Region of the American Red Cross. Now, Conor is a healthy 10 month old bundle of joy. Because of his premature birth, he is developed at a 6 month old level. His parents wish to thank the countless blood donors for helping their son.

Learn more about preeclampsia from the Preeclampsia Foundation.

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Kathryn Volpini

On May 22, 2000, Kathryn Volpini was at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) hospital ready to give birth to her fourth child. Her labor was induced, and she began delivery. Something felt wrong. She complained to her doctor of weakness and nausea before suddenly she began bleeding profusely. While her baby was in the birth canal, her uterus ruptured on the back, right side - the least common area and most difficult to reach. The ruptured area was close to a major artery, and the impact caused sustained damage to one of her ovaries. The doctor used forceps to remove the baby, while the anesthesiologist gave her more medicine to prepare her body for surgery.

Immediately after her son was born, Kathryn underwent the first of six surgeries. Due to her excessive bleeding, she received 18-20 units of blood, and was not expected to survive. Kathryn's blood type is O negative, considered the universal blood type. Since any blood type is compatible with O negative, it is the most commonly used among hospitals. Kathryn not only required the entire O negative blood supply of GBMC, but she also emptied the supply of St. Joseph Medical Center. The surgeons called the American Red Cross to help supply them with additional units of O negative blood, since Kathryn would not stop bleeding and more components were required to help her survive. Eventually, her bleeding subsided, but Kathryn was in a coma and the outlook was not good. After several hours, however, she awoke and was able to see her son, Vincent Peter, for the first time.

Even though it was a traumatic birth, today Vincent is a healthy four year old boy. Kathryn believes she is lucky to be alive and is thankful she does not have any major health affects resulting from her blood loss. "My son wouldn't have me if the blood wasn't available," she said. "The fact that I'm here today is a testament to the quality of blood I received."

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Katie Weyer

On July 6, 2004, 16-year-old Katie Weyer was the victim of an accidential shooting. The bullet hit Katie's clavicle bone, and shattered into many pieces. Bullet fragments has penetrated both lungs, causing them to collapse. Bullet fragments also hit Katie's T-2 vertebrae. Doctors contend that it is a miracle Katie survived. Dr. James O'Connor, one of the surgeons working on Katie at Shock Trauma, later noted that in all his years in medicine, "Katie was the closest to a dead person that I've ever seen."

Katie was flown to Shock Trauma where she spent the next 11 days. Chest tubes were inserted in both lungs, and she eventually suffered an arterial bleed. Her heart stopped, as did her breathing. After resuscitation in the operating room, she was placed on ventilation for the next three weeks. Through her ordeal, Katie received 12 pints of red cells, six pints of plasma, and seven pints of platelets. She says, "Donating blood ensures that you will be a vital part of saving the lives of one or more people, people like me. The truth is, without blood, they could not have saved me. I would like to personally thank the people who donated the blood that saved me. And, even though I will never know their names, I will forever be thankful to them for their generosity. I will never forget how blood helped me."

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Paige Setzer

At 13-months-old, Paige Setzer became lethargic, causing her parents to be concerned enough to have her checked by a doctor. What they originally thought was nothing more than a stomach flu, turned out to be a brain tumor. Paige's shocked parents, Doug and Miranda, then learned that it would take a major operation followed by six weeks of radiation therapy to rid Paige of her tumor. "Don't worry, we've checked. There is blood available for Paige," the doctors told the Setzers. To this day, they have not forgotten those words. Following her first surgery to remove the tumor, Paige endured a second surgery as a result of complications from the incision. Once again, the doctors assured the Setzers that there was enough blood for Paige to be treated. As a blood donor, Doug Setzer knew what a generous gift blood donation was. He never realized his daughter would be on the receiving end of such anonymous generosity. Paige has made a full recovery and is now on a five month rotation for medical check-ups. "Our little girl means the world to us," noted Doug. "Thanks to blood donors, Paige survived."

Learn more about Paige and her story by clicking here.

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Kim Dallas

After receiving a violent physical blow to her stomach, a pregnant Kim Dallas knew she had been injured, but she didn't know that weeks later, the injury would be a matter of life and death. On March 25, 1998, Dallas went into labor at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD when doctors discovered that her uterus had been ruptured from the injury she received from her abusive then-husband. She had been leaking amniotic fluid and she and her unborn baby were both in danger.

Doctors performed an emergency C-Section and her son, Aaron (now seven-years old), was delivered healthy. Meanwhile, doctors ordered three units of blood for Dallas who had lost a significant amount of blood during the surgery. "If it wasn't for the Red Cross and the blood I received, I would be in my grave," she says. "It is definitely a miracle that my son and I survived."

Dallas has experienced the life-saving miracle of blood donation on more than one occasion. Aside from being a recipient herself, her father also received blood several times when he had a kidney transplant. Dallas is extremely greatful to the individuals who gave blood and helped save her and her father's life. "Blood is so vital for life," she says. "You never know when you're going to be in a situation where you'll need it."

Dallas says that her experience in the delivery room changed her life and gave her the strength she needed to escape her abusive relationship. She also said that she did not want her daughter, Sequoia (now 16), who was coming of age at the time, to grow up thinking that domestic violence was the norm.

With the past now behind her, Dallas says she looks forward to becoming a regular blood donor, and speaking out against domestic violence. She also has aspirations to become a surgical nurse. "I've always had a desire to nurture people," she says, but after having received life-saving medical care herself, she has become even more inspired to help others. "I feel blessed that my life was saved and I just want to pay it forward."

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Tyera Clanton

When Christina Clanton brought her 14-year-old daughter, Tyera, into the Red Cross to become a volunteer, it evoked memories of Tyera's uncertain arrival into the world, when on November 6, 1990, she was born premature, weighing a little over a pound and measuring about the length of her mother's hand.

Clanton knew something was wrong when her water broke early in her pregnancy. She went to the hospital and discovered she was going into labor in her first trimester. Doctors encouraged Clanton to abort her unborn baby, claiming that the situation was unfavorable for the baby and there was a significant chance she would be mentally and physically challenged. For Clanton, however, this was not an option. She states, "I thought that if my daughter were going to be handicapped, it was a challenge that God had given me and I would have to be prepared to take on this challenge." Clanton remained optimistic about Tyera's condition stating, "I put my faith in God. I had a feeling she would be OK."

When Tyera was delivered, her lungs were undeveloped and she required assisted breathing as well as a blood transfusion. Doctors told Clanton that blood was available and assured her that it had been tested. Clanton said, "There was life in that blood. It was her only chance at survival."

Not only did Tyera survive, but she is perfectly healthy and free from mental and physician handicap. In fact, Tyera attends Poly Technical Institute in Baltimore where she receives As and Bs in her classes and is an aspiring musician. She has been playing classical piano for five years and is also enrolled at the New Shiloh School of Mysic where she was awarded a scholarship to further her musical career.

Tyera is also a volunteer for the American Red Cross and has served as a greeter at various blood drives. Though Tyera has no memory of her difficult start, she is thankful to whoever donated the blood that saved her life. Clanton says that her daughter has asked her who this person is. Clanton responds, "We don't know who the person is, but we will always be grateful to them."

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Anna Grossnickle

On February 11, 2004, Anna Grossnickle nearly died. Within a matter of seconds, she said, "my life went from being busy and chaotic, to being practically dead." While driving her two young sons to school, Grossnickle came upon a portion of the road that was not only a dangerous "S" shaped curve, but also completely covered by a thick sheet of ice. Grossnickle recalls, "When I saw the patch of ice, I thought 'What if something was coming...' and then my worse fears came true when I saw the truck coming toward me. I knew I was dead. I looked back at my boys and told them I love them."

Her car slid under the concrete carrier truck that was coming around the same curve. When the truck hit the ice, the back end jack-knifed and fell on top of her car. The accident left her entire body from the neck down completely crushed. Ironically, Grossnickle is a driving instructor and performed every precaution she teaches her students, but she says she knew that there was nothing she could do to avoid the accident. Her sons, now 13 and 14-years-old escaped uninjured. Grossnickle, on the other hand, sustained numerous internal injuries, the most critical of which was a crushed and torn aorta, a major artery to the heart. Witnesses to the accident thought she was dead until they felt a faint puse and she was rushed to Shock Trauma.

Doctors immediately performed open heart surgery. At one point, her heart stopped beating. She received blood during this vital procedure and throughout subsequent procedures to repair her spleen, kidneys, ovaries, and all of her shattered bones. During the course of her six week stay in Shock Trauma, she received 65 units of blood and blood products. During this stay, she was in a narcotic coma and was then moved to a rehab hospital where she had to learn how to walk again.

Although doctors gave her a 10 % survival rate, Grossnickle is still alive to tell her story. She attributes her survival to her team of doctors, her faith, and her will to live, but she also holds a special place in her heart for the Red Cross. She says, "Even with the best skill, if the blood was not there, I would have died. Being able to tell my story is my way of giving back to the Red Cross and to the individuals who donate blood."

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Ron Howard

"It only took one second to change our entire lives," Candy Howard said of her husband Ron Howard's accident. In 1999, he was helping a neighbor remove a tree from their yard. As he climbed a ladder to reach the stump, he grabbed onto the bark for support, but the back ripped off the tree, knocking him off balance and causing him to fall backwards onto the ground.

"I didn't feel any pain," Howard said. However, he knew something was wrong when he attempted to get back up and could not feel his legs. His back was broken. Howard said that his hips were facing one way and his shoulders were facing the other. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors performed surgery to repair the damaged vertebrae, but the injury to his spine left him paralyzed from the waste down.

Although Howard has had to make a number of lifestyle changes, including renovating his home to make it wheelchair accessible and buying a special van so that he can drive, he says he feels lucky to be alive. He also feels especially lucky that blood was available to him during his surgery. He wants to say "thank you" to blood donors because, he says, without them, he may not have survived surgery. In fact, Howard adds, "Ever since I received blood, I've been giving it every 56 days."

Howard's wife, Candy, concurs with the importance of giving blood. She has been a recipient herself on a number of occasions. She said that when she had an internal hemorrhage, the Red Cross collected blood from her coworkers on her behalf. She also gave for her own jaw surgery and received it again when she had a kidney transplant.

The Howards' are also proud to mention that their son, Carey (23) and daughter, Ashley (21), started donating blood in high school and continue to do so today. Carey Howard is the third member of the family to receive blood. According to Candy, when he was seven-months-old, he had intrasuception, a rare condition among babies that causes the intestines to fold into one another. He received blood during the procedure to repair the disorder.

The Howard family knows first-hand the numerous reasons that people need blood and are very grateful to those who donate. "The Red Cross has been very good to us," Candy Howard said.

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Rose Gilbert

When Rose Gilbert started feeling weak, tired and ill, she chalked it up to the normal aches and pains that come with every day life - carrying a little extra weight, lack of sleep, and job-related stress, among others. When her illnesses persisted, she decided to visit the doctor, whose initial diagnosis was kidney stones. When she began taking medication prescribed for that condition and continued to feel sick, doctors listened to her heart and discovered a murmur. That's when the correct diagnosis was finally made.

Gilbert had endocarditis, a condition where bacteria in the bloodstream infects the heart valves and can damage or destroy the valves. She needed to have open heart surgery and several blood transfusions. Gilbert was initially wary of receiving the transfusions, but says that doctors put her at ease by ensuring her of the strict processes involved in collecting and testing each blood unit. "I had some fears, but after I saw that all of my information was being checked and double checked, I felt better," she said.

The surgery was successful, but this was only the beginning of Gilbert's struggle to become healthy again. Seven months later, she developed a severe pain in her leg that she could not explain. It turned out to be compartment syndrome, which doctors treated with another surgery. Two days later, she suffered a ruptured artery in her leg and had to undergo yet another surgery. She says she woke up to a nurse saying, "Her calmness saved her life." Gilbert attributes this calmness to her team of doctors and nurses for being so efficient, and to the Red Cross for ensuring that blood was available for her surgeries.

Three surgeries later, Gilbert says she feels much better and is thankful to the blood donors who contributed to her survival. She says, "I'm so blessed that people care enough to donate blood because there is always a need. I don't even think saying thank you is enough."

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Carol & Jenn Mahon

When Carol Mahon's daughter, Jenn, was born prematurely at 26 weeks, Carol was "devestated" to have to go home without her baby. What was even more devestating, however, was that after three weeks in the hospital, Jenn's condition had deteriorated. According to Mahon, she received a call from the hospital at 3:00 a.m. informing her that her baby needed a blood transfusion immediately.

Mahon said she was very concerned about the safety of the blood, especially the threat of AIDS and other diseases. "My first reaction was 'Can I come down and give my blood?,'" she said. Doctors made it clear to her that if the procedure waited, her daughter would not make it. She put her trust in the team of doctors.

Jenn spent the first 62 days of her life in the hospital, during which her mother was in a state of stress, worry, and lack of sleep. "I was worried about what else might happen. I was worried that she might have a learning disability. There were so many things that could go wrong," Mahon said.

Fortunately, Jenn was able to return home safe and healthy. Now 16 and a junior at Mercy High School, Jenn is a top student with aspirations of majoring in law at the Naval Academy. "I feel very gifted," she says. She adds that it's "incredible" how a person's blood donation can save a life. Her mother Carol, adds, "I wish I could know whose blood Jenn received. I'd like to thank them for taking the time to save my daughter's life."

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Yvonne Jones

As a new mother preparing for the birth of her first child, Yvonne Jones had a few minor concerns, but she never feared the possibility of death. In fact, Jones' pregnancy was relatively uneventful and she was excited about bringing her baby into the world.

When Jones was one week overdue, doctors decided to induce labor and after two days in the hospital, she started bleeding and doctors performed an emergency C-section. Her baby was delivered successfully, but when the doctors attempted to remove the placenta, her uterus tore, causing excessive bleeding.

Once excited about pregnancy, Jones now feared for her life. "I was bleeding to death," she says. "There was no alternative other than performing an emergency hysterectomy." She received six units of blood to get her through the surgery. Jones' condition was later diagnosed as Placenta Acreta, a rare condition where the placenta grows attached to the uterine wall.

"I am so thankful that people who don't even know me took the time to give blood, and I'm thankful that the Red Cross can help make that happen every day," Jones said. Athough her ordeal was terrible, she has not allowed the experience to have a negative impact on her life. Since then, she joined the Red Cross as an employee working for audit services at the National Headquarters and she's also a regular blood donor, having donated five pints of blood so far. "Giving is so easy and it helps so much," she says, and she encourages others to do the same. "You can do it too!"

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Christine Corbin

Christine Corbin is determined to make a difference and she doesn’t let any pain or discomfort stop her. “I have good days and bad days,” she says, “but as long as I can walk, I’m at work.” Corbin’s work involves educating the community about sickle cell disease, and her knowledge comes from first-hand experience: she was diagnosed with the disease when she was nine-months-old.

Corbin says that she can barely remember a time when she hasn’t been receiving blood transfusions. Her doctors regularly measure her red blood cell levels to determine when she’ll need her next blood transfusion. Corbin can go as long as three months to as little as six weeks between transfusions and she says she never receives less than two units each time.

“I couldn’t imagine going to the hospital and being told the blood bank was empty,” Corbin says. She knows all too well the extreme pain she would experience if she didn’t receive the blood she needs. That’s why she is thankful to donors for ensuring that she never has to hear those words. Corbin’s husband, a regular blood donor, never really understood the impact of his donation until he realized how it helps people like his wife. Corbin states that, like her husband, “Most people don’t realize what they are doing until they know someone who needs it.”

Although she sometimes feels limited, Corbin is “passionate” about using her experiences to educate others about sickle cell disease. She’s also grateful that she’s able to keep the disease under control. “If it wasn’t for the blood, my beautiful doctor and my medications, I don’t know where I’d be.”

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Kelleye &

Samantha Cohen

When Kelleye Cohen found out that her newborn daughter, Samantha, had sickle cell anemia, she was “devastated.” When Samantha (Sammy), now seven-years-old received her diagnosis, Cohen says that she and her husband, “Did a lot of crying, a lot of research and had a lot of meetings with doctors” in order to figure out how to handle their daughter’s condition.

Samantha began receiving blood transfusions at age two to prevent a possible stroke. She initially received one every two weeks and currently, she receives at least five to six units of blood every six to seven weeks. Cohen states, “If it was not for blood donors, Sammy could have a stroke at any second. I thank God that people are willing to donate to her.”

Even though Sammy spends a lot of time at the hospital, she says she doesn’t feel any different than any of the kids in her class. Cohen admits that Sammy’s health issues can sometimes pose a challenge, especially in terms of taking off time from work, but she says she would never change anything about her daughter. She’s thankful that blood is available to keep Sammy healthy and she wants donors to know that their donation matters, saying “Every drop counts.”

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Dominic Giandomenico

Dominic Giandomenico had been warned about the dangers of riding a motorcycle by his family and even strangers in convenience stores. He recounts one incident where he met a fellow biker at a 7-11 who had been involved in a motorcycle accident that left him with brain damage. After seeing Giandomenico’s bike in the parking lot, the man warned him to be careful, but like most people, Giandomenico says, “I never expected anything bad to happen to me.”

Giandomenico’s perspective changed one afternoon in October of 2002 when he was riding home from work and a car pulled out in front of him, causing him to hit the car’s back tire and go flying two stories into the air. He and his bike landed 50 feet away from the point of impact. His leg hit the handle bars of his bike, nearly severing it from his body. He had numerous broken bones including a broken back, and several serious internal injuries including a collapsed lung and a ruptured intestine.

He was flown to Shock Trauma where he spent a month receiving surgeries to repair his injuries, all while his mother Jessica watched by his bed side. She recalls her son receiving “bag after bag” of blood to treat his injuries. He then spent two months in rehab learning to breath, walk and talk again. Although he went home in a wheel chair not knowing if he’d be able to walk again, Giandomenico defied the odds against him and took his first steps six months after the accident.

He says that his family’s presence and support were what gave him the strength to survive, but he also attributes his survival to his doctors and the blood he received. Jessica says, “Seeing those bags of blood around him made me think of all the people it took to provide my son with what he needed to live. You don’t know who they are, what race they are, or what religion. All you know is that they helped save someone’s life.”

Giandomenico urges people to give blood, stating: “If there weren’t enough people to give blood, I wouldn’t be here. You could lose a friend if there isn’t enough blood to go around.” He hopes his story will encourage people to donate blood.

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Jodi Ross

“I felt as though my bell had been rung,” Jodi Ross says of the moment she woke up in her car after the accident that nearly killed her. It happened on December 16, 1996, as she was driving with her sister in the passenger seat on an extremely foggy morning. She was stopped at an intersection where there was a concrete bridge obstructing her view. Combined with the foggy conditions, Ross did not see the car that was driving towards her at 60 miles an hour with no headlights. It hit her on the driver’s side, causing her body to take the entire impact.

Ross was taken to the trauma center at York Hospital to receive treatment for her lacerated liver and spleen, her broken back, crushed pelvis, and numerous other injuries. “I lost three quarters of the blood in my body,” she recalls. After a few days in intensive care, her spleen ruptured spontaneously. She remembers doctors yelling, “We’re losing her!” She says she looked up at one of her doctors and pleaded, “Please don’t let me die.” She recalls worrying about her three small children and what their lives would be like without a mother.

Ross didn’t know at the time that the hospital’s blood bank was dangerously low, and doctors were pleading with her family, friends and church community to donate blood to her. Fortunately, there turned out to be enough for Ross’ treatments. She says, “Thanks to all of the strangers who gave their blood to me, I’m still here. One hour of their time turned out to be an entire life time for me.”

Although Ross had a long road to recovery, learning how to walk again and enduring the challenges of living with limitations, she eventually made a full recovery. Since her accident, Ross has had three more children, became a Licensed Practical Nurse, and is currently working toward becoming a Registered Nurse, inspired by the treatment she received while she was in the hospital. Ross says that she’s amazed at all that has happened in her life since that foggy December morning. She’s thankful everyday for the generosity of the donors who helped ensure that her doctors had the tools they needed to save her life.

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Karen Kerr

When Karen Kerr began donating blood in the 1970’s, she didn’t realize the impact of her actions. Back then, according to Kerr, hospitals offered money for blood donations. As a young career professional, she gladly rolled up her sleeve. It wasn’t until years later, after she married her husband Roree, and became pregnant with her first child, that she realized how important blood donation really is.

During her 17th week of pregnancy, Kerr became ill and was admitted to the hospital. Instead of improving, her condition deteriorated, and she began bleeding at 25 weeks. Her doctors feared that if they did not perform an emergency C-section, she would die. Her baby’s prospects were not much better.

Kerr lost a lot of blood during her delivery and received a blood transfusion, but she was more concerned about the health of her pre-mature son, Branden, who had also received blood transfusions. He weighed only two pounds at birth and had several health problems including bleeding on his brain, a hole in his heart and undeveloped lungs. Doctors predicted a 20% chance of survival, and in the chance he did live, he’d be blind and mentally handicapped.

Kerr was able to take Branden home, several months later, and month-by-month his health improved. He is now 13-years-old and very healthy, with no signs of any of the problems that doctors predicted. “It was at that time in my life that I fully came to understand what it means to ‘give the gift of life,’ she says. “Doctors are not in control of every situation,” she continues, “That’s why I am very thankful that blood was available for me and my son.”

Since then, Kerr has never missed an opportunity to donate blood. She has become even more vigilant since her nephew, Marc, developed a blood disease and needed large quantities of blood and plasma. She encourages others to give blood, saying, “You will be someone’s hero if you save a life.”

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Dave Ryan

When asked why he started donating blood over 20 years ago, Dave Ryan jokes, "Because I got out of work for an hour and they had good cookies!" However, the cookies aren't what keeps Ryan hooked on donating every 56 days. He says it is because of the physical and mental rejuvenation he feels after he gives blood and the idea that he's saving someone else's life.

Ryan, a Master Electrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, recently gave his 10th gallon of blood at the hospital's blood drive. Though Ryan insists that achieving this milestone is no real accomplishment, his coworkers would have to disagree. Charlie Wolfe, a Maintenance Mechanic for Mercy, donated blood for the first time during the same drive and says that Ryan inspired him. "I heard Dave had given 10 gallons over 20 years and I thought to myself, 'Wow - that is a lot of people saved.' I figured it was something small that I could do to save a life," he said. Kevin Parks, another coworker, concurs. "Dave donates out of sheer personal fulfillment. I know it sounds like a cliche, but he feels like he's giving back."

Ryan says that while he was surprised and honored by the Red Cross' recognition of him, he doesn't feel he should be treated any differently. He is, however, challenging himself to try to his the 20 gallon mark. He says, "As long as I'm healthy, I still plan to donate regularly."

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Malcolm Knee

When Malcolm Knee walked into the American Red Cross Donor Center in Glen Burnie on September 16, 2005, he has no idea he was about to be recognized with a certificate of appreciation for giving his 415th unit of blood. In fact, Knee doesn't feel that being a regular blood donor is anything out of the ordinary. "It is just something I do," he said.

Knee began making a habit of giving blood back in 1948. He said that after WWII, he frequently saw American Red Cross signs urging people to give blood and wanted to take the opportunity to do something patriotic. Knee says he has continued his commitment of giving blood after almost 60 years because he feels blessed that he is healthy and he wants to give back.

Knee, a landscape architect from Crownsville, MD, began his "second career" as a blood donor by giving whole blood and eventually moved on to become an apheresis donor. However, this was not a calculated move on his part. According to Knee, his reasons were simple. "The Red Cross needed platelets and I was able to give them." In fact, his 415 unit milestone only accounts for his pheresis donations. Knee said he received recognition from the Red Cross back in the 60's for donating 12 gallons of whole blood and he estimates that now his blood donations total over 50 gallons.

Aside from helping those in need, Knee says he continues to give because he enjoys visiting with the friendly staff, stating, "Seeing them is like coming back home." Eugenia Frazier, a Collections Tech who has worked with Knee on several occasions, seconds the emotion. "I enjoy working with him. He is a friendly, pleasant and faithful donor," she said.

Knee does not believe he deserves an award for his achievement. He says the reward is knowing that he's never needed blood and that he's healthy enough to give to those that do.

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Michael Roberts

On September 23, 2003, Michael Roberts came to the Rockville Donor Center and rolled up his sleeve to give his 100th pint of blood. After witnessing his father donate numerous pints of blood, Michael was inspired to start donating regularly at the age of seventeen. He wanted to help others and felt that giving blood was a great way to do it. As a devoted donor, Michael never forgets his civic duty to help maintain a safe and sufficient blood supply.

Although Michael was aware of the importance of giving blood, at the age of twenty-two, he received a sudden reminder. He was involved in a near-fatal car crash and suffered severe head trauma. The blood Michael urgently needed was available thanks to generous blood donors like him.

At the age of forty-five, Michael wants to tell everyone not to be afraid to donate. He sees no reason not to give blood and believes it is incredible that only an hour of your time can help save up to three lives. Michael's dedication to taking that hour out of his schedule every 56 days has helped him touch the lives of up to 300 cancer patients, surgical patients, trauma victims, and other members of the community who need blood in order to survive. Michael knows giving blood is crucial because the need for blood can come for anyone at any time. Michael can speak from personal experience when he says, “the life you save may even be your own.”

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Scott Harman

Scott Harman was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle crash during his senior year of college, on July 23, 1981. After hitting a telephone poll at 50 miles per hour, Scott was taken to Carroll County Hospital where it was found that Scott had broken his back, punctured his lung with his rib cage, and suffered a crushed heart. Scott was being transfused with blood faster than his body could hold it, and ultimately he was flown to Shock Trauma.

Scott spent eight days breathing with the help of a ventilator. He was transfused with 22 pints of blood, that all would agree kept him alive during the ordeal. He is now a dedicated blood platelet donor, and urges others to give the gift of life as often as possible.

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E Marcus Waymon

In 1999, E spent two weeks in the hospital. An MRI showed a blood cot in his neck and resulted in a stroke. He also lost vision in his Right eye. Beginning in 2000, E started receiving blood transfusions to help curb his Sickle Cell Disease and it has proven to be successful. He receives 3 to 4 units of blood every month, sometimes twice month.

E has had the privilege of attending the Paul Neuman “Hole In The Wall Gang” camp in Connecticut, a non-profit for seriously ill children. All of Mr. Neuman’s camps focus on laughter as the best medicine.

Today, E is doing much better thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors. “If it were not for blood donors, E would not be here today.” E will be attending his prom this May (2007).

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Zachary Jaquet

In September 2003, 9 year old Zachary Jaquet was diagnosed with leukemia. While family worried, Zachary was extremely positive. He knew the possible consequences of the disease, but refused to let that get him down. Zachary’s main goal was to get back to school and be with his friends and to do that he had to be a very brave little boy.

He spent the next three and a half years on chemotherapy at the University of Maryland Children’s Clinic. During that time he received several units of blood and platelets, thanks to volunteer blood donors. He is currently in remission and has been off of chemo for a full year.

Zachary and his family are very grateful to the Red Cross not only for providing the blood they needed but because the Red Cross puts every blood donation through a rigorous amount of testing to be sure the blood is safe. “Zachary was able to receive the blood and blood products he needed without us worrying about him getting sicker.”

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Susan Wimbley

In 1963, Susan was a student at Towson State College, now University, in Towson, MD. She was a quick study in high school. Things came easily to her and she graduated as an honors student in high school. She’d looked forward to college, independence, study, and getting out from under “parental control.” However, she was not prepared for the pressures of college. Susan was out of her league in the reality of in-depth study, interpretive thought and boys...... eventually the stress showed itself when she developed a bleeding ulcer.

When symptoms emerged in spring of ‘64, the campus doctor did not take her complaints seriously. She was weak, could not walk and knew something was not right. She called her parents and they drove to campus to pick her up. They immediately went to consult with the family doctor. At his office, Susan hemorrhaged and was rushed to the emergency room. She needed 5 transfusions of blood to save her life. Then and there, she vowed to give back 10 pints of blood for each of the 5 she received.

Since 1976, Susan has donated blood regularly. Prior to that she was routinely deferred for low blood pressure but never gave up trying.

Over the past 20 years, Susan has met her original goal and has since exceeded it to a current lifetime donation of 65 pints of blood. That means 195 people may have been helped by her donations!

“I will be forever thankful to the American Red Cross blood services program and the people who donate blood to help others. I was one of those people…you saved My LIFE!”

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Drew McCarl

In the Fall of 2006, Drew McCarl was on his way home from a school formal with some friends. The group he was with was locked out of their inner city campus and the girls they were with didn’t carry their ID cards. A few guys decided to climb over the 8 foot rod iron security gate. After seeing a few guys make it over, Drew also decided to scale the fence, but he never made it over. He slipped and his leg was impaled on a metal spike. It completely severed his femoral artery and vein and he began to bleed out.

Drew was taken to a local trauma center by ambulance and when he arrived he was blue and unresponsive – his only vital sign was a weak pulse. After responding to deep pain, the emergency team began trying to resuscitate him.

Drew received several units of blood and fresh frozen plasma. His parents were notified and were told to come to the hospital immediately – the doctors did not expect him to live through the night.

Drew’s parents arrived and were escorted to the ICU where he was barely alive. His left leg was blue and he did not have a pulse in his foot. The doctors told his parents if he lived, he would certainly lose his leg or his foot. It was at this point Drew’s parents requested he be transferred to Shock Trauma. Once there, he underwent more surgeries and procedures to save his life. Without blood and blood products from volunteer donors, the surgeries never would have been possible, and Drew would not be alive today.

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