Blood Donor Highlight

Story as told by Amanda

I am a radiologic technologist by profession. I am a mom to an almost 7-year-old daughter named Gracelyn, and I have been married to my husband for 9 years.

It was by complete chance that I came in to donate blood, although I have been wanting to for a very long time. My husband donates, and he got a call asking him to come in. He told me he was going to ConnectLife and I said okay, I’m coming, too! I knew my blood type, and I am a universal donor.

In February of 2014, I gave birth to my daughter at Children’s Hospital 10 weeks early. There came a point in her NICU stay where she required a blood transfusion (she may even have had two total). I wasn’t there at the time, so I consented to have donor blood used for the transfusion. I am so thankful that we have ConnectLife in situations like these.

My first experience was great from start to finish! I didn’t even have a bruise from the needle! I felt extremely safe with all the COVID-19 precautions. Everyone was super nice answering any questions I had. The thing that makes my donation even better is finding out that my blood was going to someone in need, right here in Buffalo at Buffalo General Hospital! I was humbled to learn this through a text message from ConnectLife.

It’s an amazing feeling to know that I have helped save a life. It may have even been someone with COVID-19, and right now that means the world to all of us!