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Lakeland, Florida
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Tara
Not all heroes wear capes you can see. I wear mine with a OneBlood badge. I am a sickle cell disease warrior. That’s why I decided to share my story of living with Sickle Cell Blood Disease and the reason I am more than just an employee - I am a Conqueror.
As a young child, I learned that my life would be more than a battle, it would be the testimony of a survivor with the will to beat all odds.
A survivor with great faith, hope, courage and the motivation to fight and live. As a spiritual person, I believe that all things happen for a reason; even the things that we may not understand in life. Faced with a blood disease that is considered a terminal illness and handicap, I refused to look at my life with limits and fought harder.
I have four daughters, and all of them were high risk pregnancies born with the Sickle Cell Trait. The doctors suggested that I not have any children due to complications, including sickle cell crisis and anemia. It was very hard to keep my blood levels stable, but with the help of modern pain medicine, blood treatments, iron and potassium supplements, we strove to control my situation. But in March of 1998, I went through one of the most dangerous and difficult times of my life with a near death experience.
I had a very bad Sickle Cell Crisis which cause me to hemorrhage in my sleep and to go into premature Labor. My youngest child was born at 5 and 1/2 months, weighing in at 2 pounds. Both she and I received blood transfusions from people who cared enough to share their gift of life – their blood. For this, I am forever grateful. My daughter was kept in the hospital incubator for months while I fought for my life. I thank God for giving us another chance at life. Today, my daughter is a healthy 18 year old and I will soon celebrate my 40th birthday.
In 2007, I decided that I would venture out to find something worthwhile and meaningful to do with my life. Something that would make me feel like I saved the day, every day, and end the day with a smile. I began working at OneBlood. I take pride in my work because this is very personal to me. The more I educate others and share my story, the more people will, and can, become involved by donating blood. They won’t wait until something bad happens or until a loved one is in danger but will know that giving blood is not just a blood donation -- It is the power to save someone’s life and give them another chance at life as well. I am happy to be able to share my story and to wish everyone the best in life.