Please Daven for Avigayil Bas Rivka Batya.

Please Daven for Avigayil Bas Rivka Batya.

Monday, January 5, 2015

In Celebration of Blood Donors

You may not know this but January is Blood Donor Month. Growing up I remember my parents donating blood regularly. I always had an awareness of blood donation but it wasn't until Avigayil was born that the importance really hit home.

Avigayil has a rare blood type that runs in my family. Since I had just had surgery and had bleeding complications I am not eligible to donate blood for a long time. So when she needed several transfusions in the first few months of life it was from anonymous blood donors.

Most people don't think about it. Many people don't even do it. However, when you lie down on that bed and they take blood from your arm, you are saving a life. I will never know whose blood went to our daughter, so to the selfless people who give blood, I say "Thank you." On behalf of every parent who's child has received this precious gift I say thank you. You may get a cookie and juice, but you deserve a medal!

We are currently gearing up for Avigayil's first surgery. She will have a g-tube placed in her stomach and my have a more serious stomach surgery as well (more on this soon). I am still not eligible to give for my daughter and so, yet again, we will be relying on the blood of strangers.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone reading this to PLEASE go out this month and give blood. It is fairly simple and usually takes about 20 minutes (and you get a cookie afterwards!). This is especial true if you have a rare blood type or are O- (the universal donor).  You will never know the impact you have on someone's life with this simple act, but I promise you this. Whoever's life you touch, will be touched in the biggest and most important way possible. You will be a hero. You will save a life.


Please contact MADA, The Red Cross, or your local hospital for more information on how and when you can give blood near you.