Blood Donors Give Local Woman and her Unborn Daughter a Second Chance
Pregnancy complications almost took the life of Elisa Cottrell of Newark, Delaware, and her unborn daughter, Cason. Blood donors gave them both a second chance.
Just 29 weeks into her pregnancy, Elisa woke up severely hemorrhaging. By the time she was rushed to the hospital, Elisa had lost nearly half of her blood volume and her baby, Cason, was in serious jeopardy.
"Emergency blood transfusions and excellent medical care saved my life. My condition stabilized and I was able to delay delivering Cason for two additional months while I was on bed rest in the hospital," said Elisa. "However, little did I know that this would not be the last time that blood donors would come to my rescue."
Four weeks before Cason was full-term, Elisa started bleeding internally again. Doctors performed an emergency C-section and, although Cason was delivered healthy, Elisa needed another round of blood transfusions to survive.
"I nearly died on the day I became a mother. The thought of my husband, Duane, and Cason going home alone still haunts me to this day. This precious new baby, whom I had waited months to meet and only glimpsed briefly, needed a mother. I think it was this image that gave me strength and resolve in the operating room," said Elisa. "To say that the topic of blood donation is important to me is quite an understatement. This common and simple procedure saved my life, and it allowed me the privilege and joy of watching my daughter grow."
To help patients like Elisa and children like Cason, make an appointment to give blood. Call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.
