Theresa has been donating blood since she turned 18. On May 30, 2007, in a matter of seconds, the generosity of a volunteer blood donor like herself would become the very thing that would save her life.

June 2007
While contemplating relocation and looking at homes near Walnut, Iowa, Theresa signaled to turn off the highway into a residential neighborhood. As she slowed down and began a left turn, a Dodge Ram truck tried to pass on the left side. Immediately, the driver’s side of Theresa’s Ford Tempo was hit by the truck! The impact was so strong that both seatbelts broke. All 12 of Theresa’s ribs were broken, her liver lacerated and her spleen so severely damaged that it was later removed during emergency surgery. The other passenger in the car was ejected through the back window and also suffered multiple, serious injuries. The jaws-of-life were needed to extricate the victims from the mutilated car.

Both women were life-flighted to Creighton University Medical Center in critical condition.
Theresa remained in a coma for nearly three weeks. In addition to the rib, liver and spleen injuries, Theresa had two broken vertebrae in her neck. Once she regained consciousness, Theresa was transferred to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, where she spent several months undergoing physical therapy. She then underwent an additional six months of brain trauma therapy to regain her ability to organize her thoughts, remember details and control her impulses.

Through the course of surgery and recovery, Theresa received 24 units of blood, more than twice her body’s blood volume! Blood donors saved the life of a fellow blood donor.

Fast forward to 2011
Today, Theresa continues to recover. Her determination is stronger than ever and her brain functions are improving. “I’m so determined to get better, and I’m good at learning from my mistakes,” says Theresa.

One of Theresa’s recovery goals has been achieved as she began donating blood again in the fall of 2008, nearly 18 months after her near-death accident. “I’m excited to give back to the community in a way that is especially personal to me. Somebody who you may know has probably received blood,” she says. “It’s used in so many different ways and can truly make a lifesaving difference.”
A second goal may soon be achieved as Teresa has begun training again for power lifting competitions and looks forward to setting several state records this year. Theresa’s story is a true testament that determination, along with gifts from selfless strangers can go a long way!