BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS HELP LOCAL WOMAN SURVIVE SUDDEN COMPLICATIONS AFTER CHILDBIRTH
Mary C. of Newark, DE is no stranger to Blood Bank of Delmarva. Her mom Helene has worked as a phlebotomist there for more than 20 years. Mary's husband Ed is a longtime "LifeSaver" donor. But even though she understood the Blood Bank's role in the community, Mary never thought she'd one day owe her life to local blood donors.
PICTURED: Mary's mom Helene, a Blood Bank phlebotomist, with newborn Brian
A few days after being released from the hospital with her newborn son Brian in 1993, Mary C. of Newark, DE experienced several sudden life-threatening complications and she began bleeding - ultimately losing a considerable amount of blood. At the time, Mary was home alone with 3-day-old Brian.
PICTURED: Newborn Brian in 1993
"When I realized that the bleeding was not going to stop, I grabbed the phone and called my doctor," Mary said. "Within 45 minutes, I lost about 4 pints of blood."
Mary was rushed to the Emergency Room at Christiana Hospital.
"It was a surreal moment for me. I had lost so much blood, and I couldn't see anyone but I could hear them," Mary said. "I received a blood transfusion immediately and as the blood went in I could feel myself getting better."
Thanks to the selfless acts of blood donors, Mary was able to fully recover and go home to her family.
PICTURED: The Coyle Family (Brian, Mary, Ed, and Andy)
