menu
Mobile

Meet Amber

Sharing diverse, remarkable, and inspiring real-life stories is what the I am OneBlood movement is all about.

Amber I am OneBlood image

Host a Blood Drive

Become an agent of change and host a blood drive.

chair person receiving materials

Our Service Area

We are committed to saving lives in your community.

Hands holding mobile phone on blurred city as background

Earn Rewards

You get rewarded every time you donate with OneBlood.

Maximize you rewards logo with confetti background

Following the Holiday, there is an Urgent Need for Platelet Donations. Please Donate Now!

Karen B.

Citrus Springs, Florida

Hello, and thank you for reading. My name is Karen, and I’m alive today because someone like you cared enough to donate blood. It has been roughly 11 years, and I still shudder at the thought of dying after having my last child. I had a great pregnancy at age 40, and my water broke at 7AM on 10.11.2012. I was progressing very well, and was 7 cm dilated, but noticed that my son was having heart decelerations with every contraction, so my doctor got me worked up for a c section, to my complete disappointment.

Karen Bocanegra image

I only remember hearing my baby cry once, then came the ketamine push. I woke up screaming in ICU after they sewed me up. There were 5 people running in all directions, and I had not one clue as to what was going on, but I sensed something was terribly wrong. I kept passing out ether from meds or blood loss, and was later diagnosed with DIC. DIC is classically characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of widespread vascular clot deposition, compromising an adequate blood supply to various organs, and thereby contributing to organ failure. I was given a 5% chance to live, and after further testing, 11 pints of whole blood & platelets, & lots of prayers, I survived. My blood type is A-, and I cannot thank my donors enough that I’m still here to write this testimony.

Read More Stories

How You Can Help

About Blood

Learn more about blood, why blood is needed, and how blood is used.

Blood 101

Hosting a Blood Drive

Become an agent of change and host a blood drive today.

Blood Drive

Donation Methods

Learn more about what to expect when donating blood.

Donate