Kelly Griswold is a 22-year-old college student who hopes to graduate from the University of Missouri, pass her certified public accountant exam and become an accountant in the next year. These plans were nearly derailed two years ago.
While vacationing in the Lake of the Ozarks, Kelly was involved in a life-threatening accident as a passenger on a jet ski. She was airlifted to a hospital and underwent three surgeries over the course of two days. Kelly walked away from her recovery with one resounding realization: the blood donors helped save her life.
Your Blood Donation Matters
Kelly was a blood donor prior to her accident, but didn’t think much about patients on the receiving end of her donations.
“You always hear the facts that giving blood helps save lives, but you don’t really think about who the blood is going to,” said Kelly. “I used to think, ‘Oh, maybe someone will get my blood.’ As someone who has been on the other side and received blood, you understand that giving blood is not just about getting out of class. It goes way beyond that and can help millions of people.”
Her accident gave her perspective on blood donations, grounding the generous act of rolling up a sleeve in reality.
“The accident kind of humbled me. It put me in a position where I personally knew how it felt to receive blood and have someone save your life just by donating their time and their blood to help other people.”
Kelly takes a lot of pride in donating blood and now understands the importance of every donation.
“I know there are always going to be disasters, accidents and people that are going to need blood. Without the support of people that can give blood, the ones who have needed it would not be here today – myself included.”
Emergency Need for Blood and Platelets
Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and patients across the country need your help! Please give blood or platelets now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure patients receive the transfusions they need.
During the summer, many regular donors postpone giving blood due to vacation plans, further depleting an already low blood supply.
Your donation could help someone like Kelly. Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets now by visiting redcrossblood.org, downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.