In 1989 I was pregnant with my son and diagnosed with placenta previa. I had been on bed rest for the last five months of my pregnancy. When my OB/GYN took me in surgery, I prayed that my son’s life would be saved. I thought nothing about myself. There were complications with the cessarian. I began to hemmorragh. My blood type is AB+ with a special antibody. I was taken into surgery several times because I continued to hemmorragh. I was told I had to have 20 units of blood. As fast as they gave me blood, I was losing it. Blood was rushed in from all across the country before the bleeding finally stopped. Prior to 1989, blood had been tainted with the HIV. The blood I received was not. I have been tested for the virus and I tested negative.

I am thankful to Jesus for allowing AB+ donars to give blood. I am thankful to the Red Cross for everything they do. Without them, my life would surely be over. Today I give blood at our annual blood drives at work.