May signals the beginning of a busy time for celebrations and summer holidays, including Mother’s Day. But the month of May is also Trauma Awareness Month, a time where the American Red Cross reminds donors that it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps to save lives during emergencies.
Few people may understand that better than Paula Pimm.
The Canisteo resident first found herself in need of a
lifesaving blood transfusion when she was just hours old.
“My first blood transfusion was when I was born,” she explains.
“I couldn’t reproduce my own blood cells. I was jaundiced and transferred to
Rochester. As the youngest of five kids, it was hard for my parents, and I
needed transfusions until my body was able to work like it needed to.”
Years later, the elementary school counselor, wife and proud
mother of two daughters would find herself in need of a transfusion again due
to complications in childbirth.
“I was bleeding so much, and they couldn’t stop it. My doctor
was a very calm man, nothing really ruffled his feathers, but he told me that I
was going to deal with some difficulties because it was serious. They made my
husband stay in the room with me my whole stay, and those things didn’t happen
as much 22 years ago. By the time they stitched me up three hours later, I was
white as a ghost.”
For Pimm, much of the experience itself was a blur and she credits
her faith in helping her to pull through. But in recounting her story more than
two decades later, she recalls one detail in particular that stood out to her
husband.
“One of the things that my husband remembers is that my
doctor actually called for two units of blood, and literally the blood bank at
the hospital asked, ‘Are you sure you need two?’ It was the month of May, heading
into the summer months, and I’m sure they were probably thinking that things
might be low and maybe had to question whether to send two even with the circumstance
that was happening.”
“Whenever he could he donated. He was up to three gallons
when I was a kid. When I was in fifth grade, he had a massive heart attack and
in his open-heart surgery he needed a blood transfusion. So, as soon as I
turned 17 and was able to donate, I started.”
As a regular donor at Red Cross blood drives at her school,
it’s a story that Pimm proudly shares with fellow staff and many first-time
donors, particularly high school seniors, because the blood on the shelves that could go to help a friend or loved
one – might very well be their own.
“People were willing to do it for me and my Dad, so I want
to help other people and give back to them in those times. I am so thankful for
whoever it was that donated for me, and my Dad. He’s still alive today. As a
baby, I could not have made it but then, as a new mom with a toddler and a newborn,
my husband could have been raising them alone. I am a counselor and I like to
help people! It’s a small way to help, but what an easy way to give back.”
While no one can predict when an emergency or accident might
happen, donors can help hospitals stay prepared and stocked with blood products
this spring and year-round. Donors of all types – especially those giving type
O blood or platelets – are vital to patients counting on blood products for
critical medical procedures. During this busy time of year especially, every
single donation can help keep the blood supply stable for patients in need. You
can make an appointment to help provide lifesaving care by visiting
RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor app or calling
1-800-RED CROSS today.
Written by: Meg Rossman, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross of WNY
