Our final winning story in this year’s promotion was submitted by Justin Schwausch, whose commitment was renewed when his sister became a recipient.

A few years ago, we had a blood drive at my college. I didn’t think anything of it, went, and donated. Now, years later, my little sister, Jessica Schwausch, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and due to bleeding of her tumor has required receiving over 30 units of blood. Now every eight weeks I will not only give blood, but also host a blood drive to get as much as possible donated.

Committing for Life for me simply means committing to save a life. My blood may not go directly to my sister, but someone is in need. There are those that are less fortunate and aren’t able to give. The importance of donating is so substantial that it really cannot be put into words. My sister wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for individuals who donate, and I hope that I can be that saving grace for a family by my donation as so many have been for me.

Thank you, Justin, for sharing your story and for Committing for Life!

Group photo: Jessica Miller, Elizabeth Chica Liliana Guerrero (with baby Cameron Miller), Grace Frias, Ronda McKnight, Aretha Price and Everitt Lang. Bottom row: Jackie Hanebuth; Chanc and Dionne LeJeaune; Jessica and Cameron Miller

The Commit for Life blood drives at Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital – Katy are going strong! This Easter-themed drive collected 27 units.

“As a Nurse and Teacher, we Commit for Life because we know the smallest of things can make a BIG difference,” said Chanc LeJeaune, pictured with his wife at bottom center.

The drive collected 50 units – enough to help save as many as 150 lives! The chairpersons for this drive told us, “It feels good to be a part of a community blood drive – we know the importance of having enough blood available. It’s wonderful that when you host a convenient blood drive like this, so many people are willing to come out and give.”

Are you interested in hosting a blood drive in your community? Give us a call at (713) 791-6670, or visit our website to learn more: http://www.giveblood.org/cfl/group.

Thanks to all who donated, and special thanks to Jeanette, Connie and CenterPoint Energy for making this such a successful blood drive!

Thanks to Raisa and all who participated in the Houston Aeros blood drive for helping save lives!

Our latest story was submitted by Catherine Marquis, who Commits for Life at the Champions Neighborhood Donor Center. “In July, our 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. She has needed over 20 transfusions to date. I stopped officially counting at 20,” Catherine says.

While the family recruited area organizations to hold replenishment blood drives in Sydney’s honor, Catherine also took it upon herself to replenish the supply by donating blood. Sydney received a bone marrow donation from her sister in November.

“Commit for Life means my daughter’s life. She wouldn’t be here without the blood that others donated,” Catherine says.

Thanks to Catherine and Sydney for sharing their story! The Continue the Commitment promotion is almost over, but you have until March 31 to send us your story.  We would love to hear it!

This Commit for Life group goes above and beyond, hosting six drives a year! The Mardi Gras blood drive collected 55 units from 46 donors. Thank you for your commitment to saving lives!

This story was submitted by Christie Norman, whose began donating blood to fulfill a requirement for a college class. However she soon realized it was an easy way to make a big difference for others, and became committed to donating regularly. And when her daughter needed blood, she was thankful for others who had made that same commitment.

“When my daughter was 7 years old, we found a tumor in her chest,” Norman said. “Thankfully, the tumor was benign, but she needed a lot of blood. She is 23 now and would not be here today if it weren’t for blood donors.

“Blood donation is a way to help people, to be in service to others. It cost nothing yet does so much. We are taught from a young age to treat people the way we want to be treated and to love our neighbors. Regular blood donation is just that – an act of love.”

Thank you, Christie, for sharing your story and for helping save so many lives! The Continue the Commitment promotion continues through March 31. If you have a story about what Commit for Life means to you, we would love to hear it!

This creative blood drive committee delighted donors with abundant Valentine’s Day decorations, and handwritten thank-you cards signed by the entire committee.

Thank you to all who went above and beyond to make this drive extra special, including Elizabeth Chica, Lily Guerrero, Leilani Bell, Shenequa Nodd, Renee Watts, Ronda Mcknight and Aretha Price.

Our latest story comes from Nicole Lewis. Like many young donors, she started giving blood in college because she liked receiving free T-shirts. However, since her own life was saved by blood donations, her commitment has intensified.

While pregnant with her son, Nicole was hospitalized at 36 weeks and told if she did not go into labor, she would be induced the following day. After an allergic reaction from antibiotics, she was induced on the morning of Jan. 9, 2007.

“After a full day of contractions and finally an epidural, I went into labor and pushed for 45 minutes. Never broke a sweat, easy labor, laughing with my husband, mom and mother-in-law. I told everyone to go with my son to the NICU while I was being cleaned up so they could take pictures, since I only got to touch his hand as they wheeled him off,” Nicole said.

Soon afterward, things took a turn for the worse. Although she felt fine, Nicole was told she was hemorrhaging and needed immediate surgery to stop the bleeding. “I was so close to death,” she said. She was forced to undergo a partial hysterectomy, but thanks to the hard work of her doctors and nurses – and four units of blood - her life was saved.

“It is funny how when you go into the hospital and sign the consent forms that say you will accept blood if medically necessary, you do not really think it will happen to you,” Nicole said. “If it had not been for the fast thinking of the medical staff and the four units of blood I received, I would not be here today to enjoy my life with my husband and son.”

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your personal Commit for Life story and for continuing your commitment to helping other patients. The Continue the Commitment promotion continues through March 31. If you have a story about what Commit for Life means to you, we would love to hear it!

CenterPoint employees display their awards. Front row: Lori Stanley - Navigation, Debra Hafer - Rosenberg, Cindy Czako - ECDC, Melinda Limones - Alvin, Jeannette Hudec - Fort Bend and Connie Garcia – Fort Bend. Back row: Bonnie Strang - Underground, Thomas Gomez - Building D, Beatriz Mogannam - CNP Tower, Lynne Purdue - CNP Tower, Sheila Agee - CNP Tower, Cindy Swayne - Greenspoint, Greg Deluca - Baytown, Teresa Ramirez - Galveston and Cheryl Jackson – HO Clarke.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, CenterPoint Energy hosted an awards luncheon honoring the employees who make its blood drive program such a success. In 2011, CenterPoint Energy hosted nearly 200 drives at 30 different locations, collecting more than 5,000 units total – WOW!

During the awards luncheon, some of CenterPoint Energy’s most successful and most improved blood drive groups received awards. CenterPoint President and CEO David M. McClanahan and Blood Center President and CEO Brian G. Gannon personally presented the awards to CenterPoint employees.

Thank you to everyone at CenterPoint for helping save and sustain lives in 2011 – we look forward to continuing to save lives together in 2012!