Blood Donors Save Mom and Baby

Heather Fox, a Registered Nurse in ECMC’s immunodeficiency clinic, was on the receiving end of the gift of life 6 years ago when her youngest son was born. Following complications during childbirth, Heather had to have an emergency C-section to deliver her son who was in fetal distress. Heather’s son was healthy upon delivery, but immediately following childbirth Heather’s health deteriorated and her prognosis was poor.

Heather developed a condition called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation), which was directly related to pregnancy, causing her to begin hemorrhaging and her blood to stop clotting. Within the first few hours after delivery Heather received over 20 units of red cells, platelets and cryo precipitate in an effort to keep blood flowing through her body, and keep her alive. Fortunately, the blood transfusions and treatment for this condition were successful and after 5 days in the ICU and 6 days total in the hospital, Heather and her son Ryan were released to go home. Due to the massive amount of blood and the severity of her condition Heather had many months of recovery. Today she and her son are healthy and vibrant thanks to many local blood donors.

Mak an appointment to donate blood today.