Katie Drum's Story: Birth Tissue Donor and Memorial Blood Drive
- cpfentner
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
My Birth Tissue Donation Experience With Twins: March 11, 2024
When my husband and I found out we were expecting twins, we were ecstatic! I follow ConnectLife on social media, so I heard about birth tissue donation. At the OB, the nurse handed me a birth tissue pamphlet to which I smiled and said, “I already signed up!”
With the twins’ positioning, it was the safest delivery method to have a cesarean birth. While not my first choice for birth method (I was very nervous for this major surgery), I remembered birth tissue donation was possible only with cesarean deliveries at the time.
Along with the safe delivery of my babies, birth tissue donation was another great addition to our story, (times 2!) I can't explain the resolve that came over me as I walked into the OR that morning about to meet my babies face to face. I attribute it to God and my mom watching over all of us.
The tissue donation process was seamless. Rachele was so friendly during the questionnaire process, thoroughly making sure I was a good candidate for donation. On our babies' birthday, I signed a few simple forms for the donation consent, was told again about the process, asked if I had any questions before proceeding. The surgery started and before I knew it, my husband told me we had a little girl and a little boy - surprises for that very moment! Later, Rachele gave us two blankets, one blue and one pink, which now keep our babies warm on daily walks.
I would gladly donate birth tissue again. I feel that it's such an opportunity to help others, with nothing required of myself except consent. What an amazing thing God does - growing this entire new organ during pregnancy to nourish your baby. Once the babies are born, the placenta is typically discarded, why not have it go on to bless others in need? ❤️
Memorial Blood Drive: In Honor of Mom on October 23, 2024
My mom had often given blood, and she would do so with ConnectLife. Written in her calendar on the day she passed away were the words “donate blood.”
After she passed, our family decided to hold a blood drive in her honor. It's a great thing to be able to help others and reflect on my mom doing the same. She was always so giving!
It was my husband and mine’s first-time donating blood, it took some courage as neither of us are great with needles, during my mom’s memorial blood drive. When I am able, I will try to continue doing so in her honor.
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