Blood donors give second chances, just ask Sue.

In 2003, Sue’s world came to a crashing halt. Her son, Drew, was on his way back from Arizona when he was involved in an auto accident.

The driver of the car lost control and the car rolled several times before landing upside-down in a ravine.  The driver was uninjured, but Drew, who was in the passenger seat, sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of being pinned between the caved-in roof and dashboard.  Many witnesses stopped to help, including a retired firefighter and an EMT who took turns applying pressure to the large gashes on Drew’s head, arm and shoulder.

In the first 24 hours after the crash, Drew received three blood transfusions. In the years following the accident, he has undergone 42 surgeries to address injuries he sustained. Each surgery has required blood from volunteer donors.

Sue is amazed at her son’s progress and commented, “he has surpassed the odds and has no visible effects of the accident.”

She has also made it her mission to thank all those who helped Drew that day. However, there is one person she has been unable to find; the EMT. It was partially because of her lifesaving actions that Drew did not bleed to death. “She is my mysterious love angel, and I hope one day I will be able to finally say, thank you,” Sue added.  

Today, Sue is a 5 gallon blood donor. She hasn’t forgotten the kindness shown to her son, and tries to donate at every available opportunity. “I have to give back,” Sue added. “But, I know I’ll never be able to repay anyone for the gift of my son.”