Englewood, Florida
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Kelly M.
In 2001 when my middle daughter was 17 years old, she got sick with toxic shock syndrome. She was very near death when she was admitted to the children's ICU. She was given a couple of blood transfusions over her 5 days in the ICU. I am grateful & happy that she came through with no permanent damage to any of her organs. She spent another 4 days in a regular hospital room. It was a very long 9 days for myself, her sisters & her entire family.
I was a single mom with 3 daughters working multiple jobs at the time, so my days were extremely busy & I had no little time for myself. I had always told myself I would give back & donate blood when I was able. So, when I move to Florida & discovered the Big Red Bus, I started donating whenever possible. Today I try to give every couple of months when I am eligible, at one of the donor centers. It is such a small gesture on my part that takes less than 1/2 hour from the time I walk through the door till leaving. It is so special when I get those emails that let me know my blood is on its way to a hospital somewhere for a person in need. I will continue giving blood until I physically can no longer. I appreciate all of the employees of the Big Red Bus & the Donor Centers with what they do on a daily basis. Keep up the GREAT work & I'll keep coming back as often as I can!