Giving blood is one of the most generous acts of kindness that one human being can do for another. Every day, the outpouring of gratitude expressed by blood recipients gives testimony to this fact. Stories like these remind us that from the very young to the very old, lives are touched by every pint of blood transfused. When you give blood, yes, you do save lives.

Aidan Newton
Capturing hearts in a twinkle.

A new marriage, a new home, a new job, and a baby on the way. Dan and Erin Newton had practically just begun their life together. Full of anticipation and excitement. Full of possibilities. After an uneventful pregnancy and a scheduled C-section, they welcomed little Aidan into the world.

In the wee hours of his first morning, Aidan suffered a stroke. The previous day’s joy quickly turned to anguish as he was transferred to another hospital where he would undergo surgery to drain the water on his brain. Where he would spend the first two months of his fragile life. With his family by his side around the clock, and with an emergency blood transfusion just before his scheduled release, Aidan overcame numerous complications. He was finally ready to go home.

Today, with twinkling eyes and a bright smile, he quickly captures hearts. The laughter of a little boy with a brand new little sister fills the Newton home. A joy and gratitude for life help conquer the challenges of physical disabilities and developmental delays resulting from his stroke. Aidan’s struggles are far from over. With more surgery to come, he will continue to depend on a blood supply made possible by volunteer donors, perhaps some from the Donor Club begun by his parents to help others learn of the need they know so well. For the Newtons, life is always full of possibilities.

Maxine and Ray Davis
A compassionate compulsion to give.

They share a sense of heartfelt duty to country and community. A compassionate compulsion to give. Colonel Ray Davis and his wife Maxine have continually answered the call to fight for liberty and for life. While Ray fought abroad in two wars, Maxine began a commitment as blood donor and volunteer that continues even today.

The time came when this kindhearted couple found themselves on the receiving end. Relying on the generosity of others. Counting on their commitment. Ray endured two bypass surgeries requiring multiple units of blood and then encountered a battle with cancer. True to character, he fought with unwavering resolve, determined spirit and overwhelming gratitude.

To receive blood truly heightened the meaning of giving blood. Experiencing the lifesaving generosity of volunteer donors, Maxine and Ray grew stronger in their shared convictions. With spark and tenacity, they continue to give of themselves in word and in deed in order to save more lives. Now on her eleventh gallon of blood as a donor, 77-year-old Maxine is quick to remind us that age is no factor. In the Davis tradition of service, there is no question. There are no limits.

Annelise Green
A blue-eyed bundle of energy.

Blowing out candles and making wishes. It was just her second birthday. Annelise Green, or Annie as everyone calls her, celebrated with the playful discovery of a gregarious toddler. A blue-eyed bundle of energy. It was just a few months later that her parents noticed a disturbing pattern. Annie was sick much more often than other kids. Worry brought on visits to the doctor, which turned to test after test, and a simple wish for the answers.

What the Greens did not expect was what every parent dreads. A diagnosis of leukemia. In an immediate and aggressive attack on the cancer that invaded her little body, Annie received a transfusion of platelets. This was just the beginning of her dependence on the many volunteers who would support her strong fight through their faithful donations of blood.

Now at the five-year mark of remission, Annie’s challenges are on the soccer field. Her thoughts are toward plotting jokes to play on family and friends. Toward school, a big sister, a baby brother and parents who are forever grateful for her exuberant life. With Annie’s love of life is a compassion beyond her years. She understands too well what it’s like to be sick. And now she finally knows what it means to be healthy.

Bobby McMullen
Beaming with assurance and gratitude.

Bobby McMullen is the kind of person who leaves a memorable and meaningful impression. Dubbed “Mr. Sunburned Teeth” for his constant smile, he has a passion for snow skiing surpassed only by his love of life. With Bobby, every challenge brings a partnership of optimism and tenacity.

A diagnosis of diabetes at age 12 did nothing to slow the pace of this achiever. But by law school, his vision had begun its deterioration and his kidneys were failing. Dialysis and a series of blood transfusions began immediately, each bringing the renewed vigor that would enable his continued training. With his focus on physical strength and conditioning, Bobby became the perfect candidate for a new kidney and pancreas.

A loss of sight never took his real vision, and transplants barely slowed his skiing. Less than a year after surgery, Bobby was competing in the Nagano Paralympics. For Bobby and his circle of family and friends, heroes aren’t just the ones who run into burning buildings. They are the thoughtful donors who give healthy blood so others can survive and even thrive.

Justin Benion
Racing headfirst into life.

A thriving sense of adventure. An undeniable competitive streak. Justin Benion seizes every opportunity to race headfirst into life. Not too long ago, jet skiing was his favorite feat. An admitted ham, Justin welcomed the spotlight as grand-prize winner of a local event. Bragging rights and a new jet ski fueled the friendly rivalry in his athletically inclined family.

In one of many quests for the highest jump, Justin and his brother flew over waves in the wake of houseboats along the Sacramento River. Justin won the competition but lost control of his jet ski. A seemingly slow-motion fall from high in the air landed him back on his vehicle, severing an artery in his leg and causing multiple injuries. Emergency workers raced to rescue Justin and sustain his life with multiple units of blood and plasma. In the week that followed, he would undergo surgery five times, relying on incredible amounts of blood from countless donors.

While Justin’s mobility has been tempered, his zeal for life has not. Still in the spotlight, he talks candidly with youth about the risks involved with recklessness. About the importance of safety. About his deep sense of gratitude. Still lured into scuba diving and riding on the back of his motorcycles, this adventurer knows that he lives because others dared to give.

Jackson and Emily Gaskins
Playful celebrations.

In the Gaskins household are playful footsteps, silly giggles and the typical banter of young siblings. Emily describes her brother as a big horse. Jackson says his sister is a girly girl. Mom and dad cherish the kind of moments that mark celebrated normalcy.

In their young lives, Jackson and Emily Gaskins have faced overwhelming challenges with the rare blood disease they share. A condition that leaves them tired and listless, and dependent on transfusions for the line of defense that comes naturally to most children. Even the common cold can become life-threatening. In just her first five years of life, Emily has received more than 12 transfusions, each a boost to her body as well as her spirits. At age seven, Jackson had received three before having his spleen removed toward the greater strength he now enjoys in his double digit years.

Through all the twists and turns, the siblings have established an uncommon bond of support. With one another as well as their family. With the many unseen donors who provide precious blood that makes all the difference. From these donors have come gifts of little league games and cheerleading. Of smiles around the dinner table and peace of mind to parents.

Vicki Wolfe
A joy and hope in each day.

For the energetic and spirited Vicki Wolfe, even the simplest of pleasures have always been splendid. Good health, the great outdoors, a husband as best friend, two precious daughters who seemed to grow before her eyes.

Even so, there was no immunity to personal tragedy. At age 39, it hit suddenly and surprisingly, without apparent reason. It came in the form of leukemia. Within 24 hours, Vicki would enter the hospital for a grueling six-week stay. A battle for life that would depend on blood products from 113 volunteer donors. For two years, the leukemia was thankfully in remission. Then, it emerged once again, even more quickly and destructively. This time, bone marrow from her brother, blood from gracious strangers, and the support and shared faith of family and friends would bring Vicki through a six-month struggle against horrifying odds.

It’s an incredible journey, she now says with amazing grace. A part of her that she can’t imagine pushing aside. It’s a journey in which she has met extraordinary people. Many trudging through just like her, and many who have held out their hands to lend help. Vicki had been a blood donor in the past, and she knew the vital facts. Yet nothing short of her own dire need could make the impact so real. When your confidence is crushed, she says, you jump on every opportunity to just laugh. And when you realize that mortality is just a heartbeat away, you find true joy and hope in each day.

Donna Rogers
An unrelenting optimism.

Grateful. Humble. Amazed. For any negative, Donna Rogers sees at least 20 positives. She counts blessings rather than setbacks. She sees possibilities instead of roadblocks. She knows the immeasurable support of community. For Donna, every day is a good day. Life is most certainly beautiful.

It wasn’t so long ago that Donna defied the prognosis of doctors and bounced back from the brink of death. One moment, she was riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle and enjoying the autumn beauty around her. Then came a crash into the mountainside, and a halt to life as she knew it. Donna doesn’t remember the trauma that followed. Her pressure had dropped from inconceivable injuries, and her pulse was barely present. A transfusion of more than 40 pints was just the beginning of a long road back. A path forged by donors of precious blood as well as by Donna’s incredible resolve. A journey in which she has surpassed every expectation along the way.

Donna knows now more than ever just how much one person can impact another. Our decisions aren’t ours alone, she says, because they always affect other people. Giving blood wasn’t something Donna thought about before her accident. But she is so thankful that others did. She is forever grateful they helped bring her out of a coma and up on her feet. Back to a beautiful life among family and friends.

Tell Us Your Story

If you or someone close to you has ever received blood, please tell us your story. What were the circumstances? How has your attitude about life been changed by this experience? At what hospital, or hospitals, did your receive blood? May we share your story with others?

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