Stories of Commitment: Personal Stories Lead to Donations

May 7, 2009

Congratulations to our latest winners in the “Continue the Commitment” promotion! Amy Condon and Tri Pham were among the many individuals who shared their stories about why they Commit for Life during the promotion, which ran Jan. 1 through March 31. In addition to having their stories featured here, they are the recipients of 500 points for the Commit for Life store.

Amy Condon

I was born three months premature, weighing only 2 pounds, 4 ounces, and my heart was not beating properly. I had to have open-heart surgery when I was 1 day old.  As I grew up I began to understand how many people were actually involved in helping me survive.  There were many volunteers who would sit and rock me in the ICU, people who donated blood just in case, and The March of Dimes organization also had a big part in my life.

When I turned 18 I knew that I wanted to do everything that I could to help people, so I became a Commit for Life member.  I donate once a quarter, saving three lives at a time. It is so incredibly important for people to donate blood.  I am constantly trying to recruit new people to donate with me to help save more lives.

I believe this is a wonderful cause and more people should donate. I don’t think most people truly understand the impact they can have when they donate.  I will continue to try and recruit people as well as donate as long as I am healthy enough to do so. If it were not for Commit for Life members I may not be here today.

Tri Pham

As an advanced practice nurse taking care of bone marrow transplant patients, I have been writing orders for 10 to 20 units of packed red blood cells and/or platelets on a daily basis for many years now. Several years ago I have decided that I need to be a part of that supply of blood products because my patients and many other patients have survived thanks to such supply. Since then I have decided to Commit for Life.

To me, as long as I am capable and eligible to donate a small part of me to save someone's life on a routine basis (three to four times a year), I would commit to such cause for the rest of my life.