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Anna S.
I have an immunodeficiency disorder called Common Variable Immunodeficiency disorder or CVID for short. Another name for it is hypogammaglobulinemia. I developed this disorder about 10 years ago. I was constantly sick and, up until about 4 years ago, in and out of the hospital with pneumonia and asthma exacerbations. Then I was started on immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy, which is made with human plasma.
According to primaryimmune.org, "Ig is prepared from the plasma collected from a large number of normal individuals, usually between 10,000-50,000, who have been carefully screened to make sure they are healthy and do not harbor certain infectious diseases."
Without these infusions, I would not be able to do many of the activities I do today, such as shopping, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic we are experiencing. The infusions I give myself every week allow me to live a nearly normal life. Without a doubt, BLOOD DONORS ARE TRUE HEROES!
Thank you everyone, donors and blood center employees, for helping me have the best life I can have. I am so very grateful for all that you all do.
According to primaryimmune.org, "Ig is prepared from the plasma collected from a large number of normal individuals, usually between 10,000-50,000, who have been carefully screened to make sure they are healthy and do not harbor certain infectious diseases."
Without these infusions, I would not be able to do many of the activities I do today, such as shopping, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic we are experiencing. The infusions I give myself every week allow me to live a nearly normal life. Without a doubt, BLOOD DONORS ARE TRUE HEROES!
Thank you everyone, donors and blood center employees, for helping me have the best life I can have. I am so very grateful for all that you all do.
MY STORY
Byrd Lochtie
Byrd Lochtie
I first gave a pint of blood when the local Blood Bank in Ithaca, NY came to Cornell and recruited donors from the students there. Since then I have given whole blood in various places, and I became a regular donor in Eureka.
A number of years ago the staff asked if I would be willing to give plasma- my veins are very easy to find! So I started making an appointment – very easy to do – and gave plasma until new rules made it impossible for me to do so.
Then my daughter’s sister-in-law, Glenda, was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia. When she died I was able to attend her service, and I heard her best friend speak for her. Her friend said that Glenda had asked her to tell everyone at the service the two things she hoped they would all do – “Love your children and donate platelets.” Knowing that platelets gave Glenda relief from her disease, even though there was no cure for her, I now donate platelets every month in her memory.
A number of years ago the staff asked if I would be willing to give plasma- my veins are very easy to find! So I started making an appointment – very easy to do – and gave plasma until new rules made it impossible for me to do so.
Then my daughter’s sister-in-law, Glenda, was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia. When she died I was able to attend her service, and I heard her best friend speak for her. Her friend said that Glenda had asked her to tell everyone at the service the two things she hoped they would all do – “Love your children and donate platelets.” Knowing that platelets gave Glenda relief from her disease, even though there was no cure for her, I now donate platelets every month in her memory.
Around 15 years ago we had a friend who was very sick and in the ICU at UCSF.
Over the course of several days I saw that she was daily receiving multiple bags of blood, plasma, etc. I realized that every one of those bags represented a donation from somebody who had no idea who their donation would go to or what it was for. All they knew was somebody was going to need their blood.
What a great community service opportunity. I really liked the idea of the blind donation; who knows where and why it’s needed, you just know that it’s badly needed. I also like that it’s an equal opportunity; doesn’t matter whether you drive a Yugo or a Porsche everybody has the same opportunity to help.
While I couldn’t do anything about not donating for years, I resolved to become a regular donor from that point on and have tried to donate routinely since then.
Rusty
Over the course of several days I saw that she was daily receiving multiple bags of blood, plasma, etc. I realized that every one of those bags represented a donation from somebody who had no idea who their donation would go to or what it was for. All they knew was somebody was going to need their blood.
What a great community service opportunity. I really liked the idea of the blind donation; who knows where and why it’s needed, you just know that it’s badly needed. I also like that it’s an equal opportunity; doesn’t matter whether you drive a Yugo or a Porsche everybody has the same opportunity to help.
While I couldn’t do anything about not donating for years, I resolved to become a regular donor from that point on and have tried to donate routinely since then.
Rusty
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Jayden Wray Gonzalez
He came a little early at 35 weeks and was immediately transferred to the Neonatal ICU until he was strong enough for surgery to repair gastroschisis. 7 days after birth Jayden was strong enough and underwent surgery to put his little tummy in all the right places. During his 59 day hospital stay he used 3 pediatric units of donated blood. Danielle and Nate, both regular platelet donors, are eternally grateful for the everyday heroes that made sure that the blood that Jayden needed was there for him. Today Jayden is happy and healthy because of the generosity of volunteer blood donors like you. |
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Molly Guangying Fitzgerald "My daughter Molly was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. At twenty months old she had her first open heart surgery. Today she is an active young adult. Thank you blood donors!" John |
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In 2015 a group of individuals who had used blood products locally came together to say "Thank you" to local blood donors. |
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Watch Jo Anna and her brother Dan's story of organ donation! |
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