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Eric’s Story – Why Give Blood

Posted on: March 13th, 2018 by Naomi Binkley

Lifeblood.  It’s a word euphemistically used to describe something or someone of critical importance.

Most of us likely take for granted the blood that’s giving us life right now.  But there are thousands among us whose health depends on outside blood products… not just in moments of emergency, but every day.  And we never know when we may be the one in need.

Just more than 25 years ago, as a senior in high school, I found myself in just such a position.  During a dramatic growth spurt during which I grew nine inches in 18 months, I developed a severe spinal curvature caused by a deformity called Scheuermann’s kyphosis.  After seeking second and third opinions, I decided to undergo an extremely invasive pair of corrective surgeries.

Part of the surgery preparation was to make autologous blood donations.  That’s a blood donation a patient can make to be used for themselves in a future procedure.  I donated 10 pints of blood via Bonfils Blood Center and some of that donation was returned to me during the two surgeries to follow.

The Bonfils staff was very much aware of why I kept showing up and were amazingly reassuring during my visits.  I was dealing with a lot of emotions leading up to the procedure and the professionalism and humanity of the staff were impactful.  In fact, for more than 10 years afterward, those Bonfils employees recognized my mom when she would donate blood and asked about me.

Whether you are making a donation for yourself or others, it’s truly lifeblood and the impact is immense.  You never know when the lives you can save are those of the people you love… or maybe your own.

We hope you’ll join our Fireside Day of Service as we support the Arvada Elks Lodge #2278 Bonfils Blood Drive on Saturday, March 31st from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  We’ll be in the Elks Lodge Room at 5700 Yukon Street in historic Olde Town Arvada.  To schedule your time to give blood, visit donors.bonfils.org and use the site code 5430.  You can also call Bonfils at 303-363-2300.  See you there!

 

 

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