Blood Donors, Let’s Get Social

If you’ve been to a Neighborhood Donor Center or blood drive lately, you may have seen one of these cards:

Let's Talk! 

The community of blood donation supporters in our area is a strong one. At the Web sites listed above, we can chat,  share stories and continue helping save lives together.

How can you connect with The Blood Center community? Here are a few simple steps:

Go the extra mile and help spread the word!

  • Upload your own photos to the Flickr group.
  • Start a discussion on Facebook or say something on the wall. Share blood drive tips.  Post community news or announcements. Post videos of your blood drive or other charitable work.
  • Be an advocate.  Talk about Commit for Life through your Facebook status or a tweet. Blog about your story or a blood drive you were a part of.
  • Are you a blogger? Leave a link to your blog or Web site on one of The Blood Center’s social media pages, and we’ll drop by.

Never giving up

If we’re given bad news, we usually like to take it with a dose of the good. Sometimes that good news is enough to get us by, but what happens when it isn’t?

From what I’ve learned from the patients we serve, regardless of the news, good or bad, you should never take it thinking your hands are tied.

At age 40, Roger Contreras couldn’t have felt in better condition. He was working as a plumbing superintendent taking on projects left and right. One day as he took a “break” from work to finish up tasks around the yard, he felt something that would forever change his life. He was taking out the trash, when his knees buckled, he began breathing hard and feeling dizzy.

Dreading the regular doctor’s visit, Roger hadn’t seen a physician in decades. But this was different. He sensed something was seriously wrong - and it was.

After several tests, doctors alerted Roger that he would need blood transfusions to survive, as his blood count was dangerously low. Like patients before him, he was thankful to know that there was blood on the shelf during that emergency procedure, but he soon found out that this would not be the only time he’d rely on volunteer blood donors.

Everything he was experiencing was being caused by a disease known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a disease in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. The diagnosis devastated Roger and his family as they knew the journey to finding a cure, a cure that would require a bone marrow transplant, would be a long one.

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Roger with his mother, sister and daughter.

As Roger underwent numerous chemotherapy treatments and even more blood transfusions, he knew his options. He could sit silently and wait to find a match through the National Marrow Donor Program’s Be the Match registry or he could do all he could in the meantime to raise awareness and increase his chances of saving his life and the thousands of patients like him.

He did the latter.

It’s been almost a year since his journey began and since then, Roger has been journaling his experience and using social media networks in hopes that someone would listen. His blog, www.ihavemds.com, has received attention from several potential donors and even other patients hoping to find their life-saving match.

Roger is also giving a voice to the thousands of cancer patients depending on blood transfusions. While many know of the accident victims and trauma patients who rely on blood, Roger is showing how several patients rely on ongoing transfusions. In fact, as he awaits his match, Roger has used more than 200 units of blood to keep him healthy throughout his fight.

It’s a detailed and very personal account of his journey, something that most would rather keep private. But for Roger, this experience is his opportunity to make a difference. While he finally won his battle and received his bone marrow transplant in March of 2009, he continues spreading the word be able to save others’ battles someday.

Roger will be hosting his first blood drive at Dream Rooms Furniture on Sunday, July 5. Click here to make your appointment today.

Image of the Week: Saving Lives in the Park

Commit for Life at Discovery Green

It was a beautiful day to be a hero when Discovery Green hosted Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for the KPRC Local 2 blood drive on Saturday, June 20. The donor coach returned on Monday, June 22, and both days combined resulted in a total of 52 donations - enough to help save 156 lives!

Join us for our current media blood drive with 93.7 FM The Arrow today through July 3 and help save lives before the Independence Day holiday.

Heroes spotted this weekend at…

We’re on the lookout for life-saving pride - meaning if we spot you out and about in a Commit for Life T-shirt or other Blood Center gear, you could end up in this space!

Here are some of the places heroes were spotted this weekend:

Saturday, June 20, 11 a.m.: CoCo’s Crepes and Coffee

Spotted at CoCo's Crepes and Coffee

Maddie Hitt shows off her blood donor status during a breakfast stop at the popular Midtown morning spot.cfl_blue_t_large1

Saturday, June 20, 12:30 p.m.: Discovery Green

We couldn’t get a snapshot of the busy mom who chatted away on her cell phone while flanked by two young boys headed for the playground - but at least we know she makes time to Commit for Life. Her turquoise and white tee was proof of that!

Saturday, June 20, 10:15 p.m.: House of Blues

Again no pic, this time due to the music venue’s no-cameras policy. It’s a shame because the college-aged guy in a navy Commit for Life shirt rocking out to the Reverend Horton Heat in the general admission area would have made a great shot. Oh well, the music was too loud for us to get his name, anyway.

So next time you’re out in a Commit for Life shirt, or toting one of our cool Commit for Life sling backpacks, and you see a camera-wielding girl coming your way, smile! You might end up on the Commit for Life blog!

Happy Father’s Day!

In honor of all the great dads out there who put their children first, we’re sharing the stories of some dads who do good for their own families and others - by donating blood.

David

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About eight years ago, David’s daughter, Meagan, was diagnosed with a rare immune disorder that required her to go through chemotherapy. She even spent 15 days in a coma. Throughout her experience, she received blood transfusions made possible by volunteer donors and today is a healthy, college-bound 18-year-old.

David was so grateful for the gifts bestowed upon Meagan by blood donors, he committed to ensure that blood would be available for other families. Even though Meagan’s illness is many years in the past, David is still a Commit for Life donor who gives blood every quarter.

 

Gary

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Gary’s twin sons, James and Jacob, were born premature and spent many weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. As doctors worked to keep them healthy and growing, they each received blood on several occasions. Gary says he cannot imagine what might have happened if blood had not been on the shelf each time James or Jacob needed it.

Both boys eventually were able to go home, and Gary thinks of their difficult start to life each time he visits the Pasadena Neighborhood Donor Cener to give blood. He is a gold-level Commit for Life donor, and in addition to helping save lives with his donations, he tries to help others with the points he earns from the Commit for Life store. He’s used his points to purchase several backpacks, which he donated to a local school for students who needed them.

 

Marcus

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Marcus was already a blood donor when his family experienced a need firsthand, something he never expected. In 2005, the birth of his second son reminded him of the importance of blood being on the shelf at all times. His son was born premature and needed to receive blood to stay strong.

“Saving lives is not just a banner for me,” Marcus says, “but rather a reality that has occurred in my son’s life.” Marcus’ son is doing well today, and Marcus continues to donate for the many other families who would be devastated if not for blood donations.

 

And finally…

Our Father’s Day post would not be complete with this account - not from a dad, but from a daughter who learned all about saving lives from her dad. Sarah was one of the winners in this year’s Continue the Commitment promotion, which encouraged donors to share their stories of saving lives. Here’s Sarah’s story of giving blood alongside Dad.

My name is Sarah Jane Almquist. This story is about me and my dad, John Almquist. I have been donating blood since I was 17 years old. I had watched my dad donate what feels like hundreds of pints of blood throughout my life.

The day I turned 17 I was devastated that the blood center was closed so I couldn’t give blood. My dad had been saving his donation that month for my birthday. So the next day after school and work was done that was what we did, we went to our blood center and gave blood. The lady at the front asked me if I was scared, I was anything but. I was excited to give blood with my dad and the idea of saving lives was magical.

Now almost 5 years later the excitement of giving blood is still there, even though we’re sometimes separated by 700 miles, this is something that we always make sure to call each other about, our latest blood donation. We like to talk about how fast we gave, who our nurses were, how we feel, and of course, what kind of cookies we had. We know that giving blood isn’t an obligation that we have, it is a privilege that we have been given to help out other people around us, and to help ourselves.

What does your dad do that inspires you? And if you’re a dad, what values and traditions do you hope to pass along to your kids? Happy Father’s Day, dads!