Blood donors save lives. Cases in point»
Mike Wu was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in January, 2003, after complaining to his doctor about persistent abdominal pain. He began taking a laundry list of prescribed medications that compromised his immune system; he lost about 30 pounds. After being ultimately disappointed with the results of drug therapy which did not help to control his CML, Mike was relieved to hear from Stanford Blood Center that a suitable marrow donor had been found in China through the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in July, 2004, and several transfusions of platelets and red blood cells in the following weeks of recovery.
Having leukemia has changed Mike’s focus in life. “I decided not to go back to my previous job after my treatment. Being so close to death made me realize how important time is, so now I spend it doing things I enjoy and doing things that matter.” Mike and Jennifer are actively involved with Team-in-Training, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Asian American Donor Program to support other people who are battling cancer.
On the morning of May 31, 2007, Chris Zable and her husband, Harold, eagerly arrived at Stanford Hospital for the scheduled C-section of their twin daughters, Rebecca and Michelle. Everything seemed to be going fine until nurses “tried to get me up and moving right away but it wasn’t going well. I was unsteady on my feet,” Chris says. By that evening, she felt dizzy and began blacking out. “Harold pulled the emergency cord and then doctors and nurses rushed in the room.”
Chris was bleeding internally and her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low. She had uterine atony; her uterine muscles were not contracting normally and she was hemorrhaging. Doctors immediately transfused the first of more than 20 units of red blood cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate to try to stabilize her while they worked to control the bleeding. “Twenty people saved my life,” said Chris. “Now, I get to see my babies grow up and they get to have a mommy.” Unfortunately, Chris required an emergency hysterectomy to save her life.
Chris encourages those who are able to give blood to do so frequently. “Donating blood is an unambiguously good act. It goes to someone who needs it and helps them. Period.” She has been a blood donor herself. “It’s a really satisfying thing. You walk out feeling you’ve done something good.”
As a result of cystic fibrosis, identical twins Anabel and Isabel both underwent double-lung transplantation surgeries at Stanford Hospital. Together they used more than 80 units of blood products. “I’m deeply grateful to our blood donors,” Isabel said. “I think they exemplify the best in humanity.” Now doing well, the pair has written a book and enjoy public speaking. “Giving blood is the best gift you can give someone and it doesn’t cost a penny,” Anabel said.
Pulmonary hypertension, overriding aorta, and pulmonary atresia are a few of the health obstacles in five-year-old Madeline’s life. She was born with several cardiovascular defects and has undergone many corrective procedures, including an eight-hour unifocalization surgery to redirect her arteries for better circulation, a right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery conduit, and nine invasive cardiac catheterizations to observe the functionality of her heart. She has received the lifesaving gift of blood with each of her surgeries.
Maddie’s parents brought her to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital to see a pioneering pediatric cardiologist, and now have renewed hope. “We’re so fortunate to be seeing a renowned specialist in this field. Instead of suggesting that we prepare for her passing, they’ve given us hope that Maddie will be able to get around without the breathing tube after two more surgeries.”
Joseph is only six months old but has already had two surgeries to treat a hypoplastic left heart. In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Joseph and his family stayed at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford during his treatment. He needed blood transfusions with each surgery. His mother, Rebecca, encourages anyone able to give blood to do so. “It can help so many people,” she said. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to think of words to express her gratitude towards the donors that helped save her son’s life. All she could muster was a heart-felt, “Thank you.”
Baby Sebastian has a rare disorder that causes his body to produce defective platelets and makes him susceptible to infections and bleeding. He receives blood transfusions twice a week at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. “If it weren’t for blood donors, Sebastian wouldn’t be alive today. It means so much to us that donors are willing to give of themselves,” said his mother, Christina. Sebastian’s only chance of survival is to receive a marrow transplant.