Stories from the people your donations save.

I have an immunodeficiency disorder called Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). Up until about four years ago, I was constantly in and out of the hospital with pneumonia and asthma exacerbations. Then I started immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy, which is made from human plasma. Ig is prepared from plasma collected from 10,000–50,000 carefully screened, healthy donors. Without these weekly infusions, I couldn't shop, work, or live a nearly normal life — especially through the pandemic. Blood donors are true heroes. Thank you to every donor and every blood-center employee who helps me have the best life I can have.

I first gave a pint of blood when the local blood bank in Ithaca, NY recruited donors at Cornell. I became a regular donor in Eureka, and eventually the staff asked if I'd give plasma — my veins are very easy to find. Years later, my daughter's sister-in-law Glenda was diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia. At her service, her best friend shared the two things Glenda hoped everyone would do: "Love your children and donate platelets." Knowing platelets gave Glenda relief, I now donate platelets every month in her memory.

About 15 years ago a friend of ours was very sick in the ICU at UCSF. Over several days I watched her receive bag after bag of blood and plasma. Every one of those bags represented a donation from someone who had no idea who it would go to — only that someone was going to need it. What a great community service. I love that it's a blind donation and an equal opportunity: whether you drive a Yugo or a Porsche, everyone has the same chance to help. I resolved then to become a regular donor, and I have tried to donate routinely ever since.

Jayden came a little early at 35 weeks and was transferred straight to the NICU until he was strong enough for surgery to repair gastroschisis. Seven days after birth, he was ready. During his 59-day hospital stay he received 3 pediatric units of donated blood. His parents Danielle and Nate — both regular platelet donors — are eternally grateful for the everyday heroes who made sure the blood Jayden needed was there. Today Jayden is happy and healthy because of the generosity of volunteer blood donors like you.

My daughter Molly was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. At twenty months old she had her first open-heart surgery. Today she is an active young adult. Thank you, blood donors.