Donor and Patient Stories - Whitney's Story

WHITNEY’S STORY:
Donating blood to honor the memory of her mom

Whitney W. was 18 when she lost her mother to cancer. Since then, she unknowingly became a ‘blood donor advocate’ – giving blood and encouraging others to do the same. She says she does it to honor the memory of her mom.

“It’s an indescribable feeling to give blood because you know you are literally saving someone’s life,” she said. “My mom was such a giving person. She would have done anything for anyone. This is the least I can do for her.”

Whitney’s mother received platelet transfusions during her chemotherapy treatments. “My mom was sick for 10 years. Every time I walked into the hospital to visit her, I could see reasons to give blood. There are patients every where you look who needed transfusions.” Whitney first donated blood when she was a student at Milford and Indian River high schools. “But now, it takes on more meaning, since my mom passed away.”

Whitney W. has been torn between being a frequent whole blood donor every two months, or signing up for the Blood Bank’s pheresis programs, where she can donate platelets every two weeks, which will help cancer and leukemia patients. “Either way, I’ll be helping someone who’s sick, so it’s a win-win choice,” she said.

Her advice for other young adults like herself? “Give blood – it’s the most selfless thing you can do. We are the future. If we don’t give blood when we’re young, the fear of giving may only get worse. Give blood, put it behind you, and then keep doing it. You will never regret it.”

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