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Panama City Beach, Florida
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Jennifer K.
One of the first things I did after turning 16 was drive myself to the blood donation site in my hometown. I knew it was an excuse to drive, and I was more than happy to use that excuse to get behind the wheel of my new car. What I didn't know is how that small donation would change MY life, let alone the lives of the recipients.
Fast forward 10 years (and lots of donations later) to when I became a mom.
My first-born baby was born with a life-threatening heart defect. His open-heart surgery required many things, including several blood transfusions. Through it all, I continued to be a regular blood donor.
Fast forward another 20 years, my youngest child became very ill. She was losing blood at a rapid rate and went undiagnosed for a few months. Through that insane time, my daughter required over 12 units of blood.
It's crazy to think that I've been a regular donor my entire adult life (and through various organizations), and never imagining that my own children would need life-saving blood donations. Being a blood donor is a simple and selfless act that I will continue to do.