Paul Yang

Originally from Taiwan, Paul had chronic active Hepatitis B which affected him on an “on and off” basis for 10 to 15 years. “Back then, I had no knowledge about the disease. I didn’t even know I had it,” said Paul. “I just thought I was sick with the flu, but then the periods between each bout shortened from months into weeks. I also felt weak and lost weight.”

Coupled with the lack of knowledge about the disease and transplants was also denial. “I did not want a liver transplant - I was in denial that I would die pretty soon,” said Paul. “But then I thought, either way I am going to die, so why not.”

According to the United Network For Organ Sharing (UNOS) website, there are currently more than 80,000 on the national waiting list for organs. Paul was fortunate. Sixteen years ago, the statistic was about a fifth of what it is today – there were 16,026 on the waiting list then. “I was pretty lucky,” he said. “I was on the priority list and received a liver within a week. On August 20th, 1988 I received a liver transplant and 221 units of blood during the nine and a half hours of surgery.” After two to three months, Paul recovered and “got better.”

These days, Paul is appreciative of those who donate organs and blood. “This has given me a second chance at life,” said Paul. “I am really thankful.” Although he still has to take immunosuppressant medication, Paul said he has regained his strength.

Lauren Larsen

Due to complications during childbirth, Lauren Larsen used 200 pints of blood and blood components.  Today, Lauren and her family are thankful to the blood donors who provided her with the gift of life.

“No one really knows when a medical emergency will hit him or her or someone they love. I certainly didn’t,” said Lauren. “But…Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP)...was there for me.”

In November 2001, Lauren ran the 2001 New York Marathon to raise $50,000 and 500 blood donations for BCP and/or America’s Blood Centers. Today, Lauren is devotes her time in promoting the cause of blood donation as a national blood donation advocate.

Meghan Daily

Meghan Daily had always been active and healthy until she developed swelling in her hands and feet, and experienced weight gain. What she had attributed to “college student weight gain” turned out to be lupus nephritis – an autoimmune disease.

Meghan’s kidneys weren’t functioning and her hemoglobin count was only three and she had only four units of blood in her body! With the dramatic blood loss, doctors diagnosed her as having thrombotic throbocytopenic purpura (TTP). It impeded clotting and has a clogging effect – Meghan was bleeding to death.

After eight months of dialysis and receiving 987 units of blood components, Meghan improved. Said Meghan, “If there weren’t 987 to give blood, I wouldn’t be alive right now.” Today Meghan is doing well and has regained her energy for life again.

Rito Delgado

Rito Delgado never forgets that blood donors saved his life 23 years ago. Incredibly, he remembers almost everything that happened to him that tragic night when he was hit by a drunk driver and pinned between two cars. He remembers comforting his sister who was by his side at the scene, as firefighters rushed to save his life. He remembers seeing his white pants turn red from the massive amount of blood he lost; he remembers the ambulance ride to the hospital and being curious as to what route they were taking; he remembers being told that he suffered massive injuries to both of his legs.

Rito underwent five surgeries during his 3-month hospital stay. During that time he received numerous lifesaving blood transfusions. “I remember that the nurse told me that I received about 13 pints of blood during just my first surgery,” Rito recalls.

It took Rito a full year to recover. Even though his scars are long healed, he still remembers so much about the night that changed his life. And because he remembers, he now donates his blood and his time to help patients who need it and to inspire eligible blood donors to give the gift of life.

Stuart

Five years ago, Stuart was crossing a busy street when he was struck by a passenger van. He sustained multiple injuries, including traumatic brain injury, broken limbs and severe injuries to the arteries connected to his heart. Stuart was dead at the scene until he was resuscitated by an off duty firefighter.

At the hospital he was rushed into emergency surgery for nearly 15 hours to repair the tears to his aortic arch. The surgical team used 38 units of blood to sustain him. Midway through the surgery, doctors reported to Stuart’s family that they had used every unit of blood available in the area and only a couple of units of packed cells of the type they needed remained in the region. “If he needs more blood, we’re in trouble,” the surgeon told them. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘You mean my son might die because there’s not enough donated blood?’” says Stuart’s mother, Martha.

“Stuart did make it and he’s doing just fine, and part of the reason why is that 38 people I will never know cared enough to donate their blood to someone they would never meet,” Martha says. Today Stuart is a full time college student who’s also working toward his black belt. “Every year on the anniversary of the accident we celebrate my son’s real birthday—the day God gave him back to us and the day we realized that thanks to 38 strangers who cared, we would get to keep him.”

Isabella

When Isabella was 2 –years old, she was diagnosed with severe Aplastic Anemia. From the first day she was admitted to the hospital, she began receiving lifesaving blood products. After her treatment, her immune system was severely compromised and for the next several months she needed regular blood and platelet transfusions. Each time she had to go in for a transfusion, Isabella would say that she was getting red or orange Kool-Aid.

Today Isabella is a typical 3-year-old and is responding well to her treatment. She has been transfusion-free since October 2004.  “I can’t begin to express in words how much blood donation has meant to my family,” says her mother, Alixandria. “Without the many transfusions she received, she would not be here today. Through their unselfish generosity, blood donors have given my daughter another chance at living a life that every child deserves to live.”

Laurice Levine

Laurice was born with thalassemia intermedia. As if that wasn’t enough, at 25, Laurice was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Because her body could not manufacture sufficient hemoglobin, her heart could not keep up the pace and she needed to start receiving blood transfusions. Twice a month, Laurice receives two pints of lifesaving blood and will continue to do so for the rest of her life.

“Prior to each transfusion, I say a prayer thanking each donor for giving me life,” said Laurice. “I also bless and wish each donor with continued life and good health.” Today, Laurice remains an active and vital person in her community.