Stories of Commitment: Donors Experience Giving and Receiving

March 4, 2010

Congratulations to these winners in the “Continue the Commitment” promotion! These individuals were among the many who have shared their stories about why they Commit for Life. In addition to having their stories featured here, they are the recipients of 500 points for the Commit for Life store.

Read their stories to learn why they Commit for Life, and submit your story if you haven’t yet!

Laura Parker
"I started giving blood because I wanted to know what it felt like to give blood.  My college campus was having a blood drive, so I rolled up my sleeve and gave a pint of blood.  Then I found out I got a cookie and a juice box for giving! That alone makes it worth giving.

"In 2007 I was on the receiving end of blood donation.  It was curiosity that originally started my donating blood.  I was never curious about what it would be like to receive it.  Post complications from surgery changed all of that. I received five units of blood in the ER and another four units in intensive care from nine caring people. These wonderful people saved my life."

Melanie McTaggart
"Grant, my 3-year-old son, was diagnosed in May 2009 with leukemia. He has a rare form and receives a lot of high-dose chemo every month. A side effect of the chemo is that he constantly needs blood, platelets and IVIG. I can not even count how many transfusions Grant has had.

"I give blood because I wanted to give back to The Blood Center what so many others have given to my son Grant. Without the blood that he has received, he would not be alive today."