Donor and Patient Stories - Kimmy's Story

Kimmy Eagle, Blood Bank of Delaware/Eastern Shore's Half-Pint for 2001. Kimmy was the local area's representative in the 2001 Pints for Half-Pints Calendar that portrays children from across the country who have benefited from blood transfusions. Pints for Half-Pints was a national campaign originated in 2001 to showcase the need for blood, particularly among young children.

For several months, Kimmy was not feeling well. In November 1998, her parents received the devastating news-Kimmy had leukemia. She was six years old. During her hospital stays, she received regular platelet and red cell transfusions. "You could always tell when it was time for more platelets," said her father, Kent. "Afterwards, the improvement was dramatic."

Kimmy received a bone marrow transplant from her three-year-old brother, Jon, in April 1999. Today, she is back at school and making a full recovery. Both Kimmy's parents are now platelet donors. "If people knew what a difference giving blood makes, they wouldn't hesitate," says Kimmy's mother, Lori.

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