Mothers Saving Lives
Beatrice and Ann are two mothers with two different stories. There is one thing they do share in common though – their willingness to make a selfless commitment to save lives during one of the most difficult times in their life.
Beatrice donating at her daughter's replenishment blood drive.
Just two weeks after giving birth, Beatrice Flores learned her newborn baby girl, Vanessa, had been diagnosed with Neuroblastama, a form of childhood cancer. For seven months, Beatrice and her family watched as baby Vanessa relied on several surgeries, seven chemotherapy treatments and multiple blood transfusions to help save her life.
While the devastating news came almost four years after giving birth to her baby boy, Ann Shortes also experienced the pain of watching her child undergo life-saving treatments. More than a month ago, Ann and her husband received word that their baby boy Oliver was diagnosed with Acute Lympoblastic Leukemia. The diagnosis nearly shattered them.
Faced with the emotional hardship of watching their children battle cancer, the two mothers held on to their optimism knowing they were fortunate to have their children today, due in part to the generous blood donors who had donated days before.
Ann and Beatrice received an inflow of support from their own loving network. Many sent gifts, others meals and others helped by turning to prayer. All would help the Flores and Shortes family, but the mothers decided this was their turn to help others.
Ann Shortes with her husband Larry and their son Oliver at their blood drive held at the Harper and Pearson offices.
Beatrice reached out to her local grocer Foodarama.
The two agreed to host a drive with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center – one in honor of baby Vanessa and one in honor of 4-year-old Oliver.
While Beatrice is proud to say that Vanessa is out of the hospital and cancer-free, Oliver is still battling his cancer and will continue to rely on blood transfusions so he too can join Vanessa and win his battle. You can read more about Oliver at www.prayforoliver.com.
These two children are the reason we Commit for Life. If you would like to host a blood drive in honor of a loved one or just to help save lives, e-mail hostablooddrive@giveblood.org.
Tags: blood donor, blood drive, replenishment
i always give blood when i can. i am happy that i am helping people to live. i have been a donor for about a year now. its fun. i love saving lives.