"Being diagnosed with a bleeding disorder has some challenges. However, one of my biggest concerns happens to be the blood product supply. I have had so many transfusions that have ultimately saved my life. For example, when I was three years old, I almost died from a nosebleed that lasted thirty days—this required transfusions. Last summer I had a surgery that required roughly twenty five transfusions. With this surgery, one of the hardest things that I had to do was sit my parents down and tell them that, while this surgery is necessary and there are no other options, there’s a high chance of me dying on the operating table. Without people willing to donate their blood products (ie, red blood cells, plasma, and platelets) I would more than likely not have survived past my third birthday or past the surgery. But I am here today...because of people donating.
On average, I am hospitalized once a year, mainly due to internal bleeding issues, and the only way I get better is by receiving transfusions. But I am not the only one who receives transfusions—there are a lot of people who receive them. Donating blood is essential—think of it as one’s civic duty. If you’re afraid of needles, which I can understand, have someone go with you to hold your hand. If you’re afraid you’re going to pass out, you’ll be in a comfy chair anyways—might as well take a nap! Only 38% of the world’s population can donate now, and the American Red Cross centers are seeing an overall decline on the number of donors. If this trend continues, the shortage will continue and hospitals will have to start denying patients the appropriate blood product transfusions for treatments. Imagine what would have happened to me if I was only allowed to have three transfusions for my surgery the past summer—I wouldn’t have survived it. This is an extremely scary thought for people like me who have bleeding disorders—instead of being able to live our lives like “normal,” we would have to be extra careful with daily activities.
Now, I’m not saying have pity—but have courage to donate. You might save a life—potentially three—with your donation. And if you know me, and you’ve donated in the past, who knows, I might have received some of your blood. Put yourself in a “bleeder’s” shoes—if the best treatment for you was to receive donated blood products—would you want people to donate? As I said before, if you’re afraid, bring someone with and squeeze their hand. The whole donating blood process only takes about an hour. This one hour that you’d make time for, could mean a lifetime for a person in the future. While you’re donating—think about me or think about someone who has received a transfusion and how you could be saving a life. Whatever you do, please donate; there’s nothing better than saving lives."
--Tonya Reetz, Class of 2012
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