Calvin-

also known as "Pop", experienced a near death experience two days before Christmas 2007. He was hit by a freight train while driving his truck − his left hip was fractured, his left femur was shattered and both legs were broken at or below the knees. Pop received ten units of Red Blood Cells within the first 5 days of surgery.
When he woke up after surgery and saw the nurse hanging a blood bag, he looked at his son Bob and gave him the thumbs up sign. Ironically, his son Bob works with the American Red Cross Blood Program to ensure that blood is ready and waiting when a patient is in need. Bob and his Dad never thought their family would need help, but they are glad the Red Cross was there.
Late last month, Pop was released by his doctor. He will undergo knee replacement surgery when he fully recovers. Pop still needs the help of a walker, but plans to walk on his own again.

Jerry-

was in a life or death situation nearly 20 years ago when he was in a terrible car crash. "I wound up falling asleep at the wheel, going off the road and flipping my car three times." The average person can live on nine pints of blood; but Jerry needed 12 units to replace what he was losing. "I remember being on the emergency room table and the doctor saying, 'We need blood' to the point where I remember saying, 'Will someone go get him the blood?!?'"
Thanks to the "kindness of strangers? Jerry received the blood he so desperately needed. Jerry, now a regular blood donor, is grateful to be able to return the favor. "It's one of those things where you don't know you need it until an emergency arises. But everyday lives are at risk. And without it people die."

Anthony and Nancy-

gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Tessa in late September 2007. This was the happiest time of their lives, but it was also the most difficult. Tessa was 16 weeks premature and only weighed 1 lb. 9 oz. when she was born. She received over 50 transfusions of blood products while in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and PICU (Pediatric ICU) at the Women?s Hospital and Brenner Children?s Hospital.
Sadly, Tessa passed away in late January due to complications from pneumonia. However, without blood from anonymous Red Cross donors, Tessa?s parents say her treatment would never have been possible. They are grateful for the short time they had with baby Tessa and for the support of their American Red Cross.