Why Donate Blood
Local Principal’s Battle with Leukemia sparks community support with Hoxworth blood drive hosted by Independence Elementary School in Lakota School District, Liberty Township
"Thanks to Hoxworth blood donors, I'm still here. Thanks to your blood donation, you are giving others more time to do the things that they enjoy. You'll be their hero."
Transforming Lives One Pint at a Time - A Journey of Hope and Healing
From Giving to Receiving: A Life Transformed by Hoxworth Blood Donors
How Hoxworth Blood Donors Became Lifesaving Heroes in Heather’s Battle against Leukemia
A Tale of Courage, Support, and the Extraordinary Generosity of Strangers
Honoring the legacy of Benjamin Messer's short life, his family hosts “Ben Strong Week” the week of his passing each year. Events during this week include a Random Acts of Kindness day, Read to a Child day, Thank a Healthcare Worker day, and the Ben Strong giveback blood drive every year to continue Benjamin’s legacy.
“I thank God for the grace to still be here and for all those in the medical community, especially the Hoxworth team, that have helped me see and experience all these years of life that otherwise would not exist for me without your help.”
“I hope my blood goes to those in need like young children who are sick or someone that is going through cancer or leukemia or someone who has been in a major accident.”
"Receiving the transfusion helped me appreciate that blood donations were not just for rare and extreme life-threatening situations, but also needed for chronic and quality-of-life conditions."
"Donating is a free and easy way to give back. I have always believed that we should do more to help out our fellow humans.“
“It’s a comforting feeling knowing that someone here in our community is going to get this blood that will save or extend their life.”
“Donating blood is everything. It really can give the person receiving it peace of mind. I rely on blood, so not to have it is scary.”
“I would not be here and would not have survived the (double lung) transplant if not for the available blood."
“I know first-hand, it will save or impact someone’s life and I get a thrill because of that,” he says. “Just knowing I’m making a difference is what this is all about."
“To those that donate, I would like to say thank you—and to think about the lives you can save from just one single donation!”
"Blood donation is one of the most selfless acts of kindness anyone can give and it saves lives. Blood donors are real-life superheroes—just like Cohen!”
“There are many heroes with no capes walking around us every day saving lives with their donations. Many underestimate that this simple act of kindness they do actually saves a life!”
“It is heartbreaking when one receives a call indicating we are short of blood or platelets for patients in need in our community, and feel impotence. All my medical knowledge is useless in situations of short supply. I want to contribute to prevent these situations of seasonal shortage…there is no substitute for blood donations.”
“Without these transfusions of blood that is her exact type, I know that my daughter would not be here,” says Journey's mother, DeShawna. “I’m extremely thankful that this lifesaving treatment is available to us.”
No one ever expects a diagnosis of cancer, but imagine learning that you've been living with an aggressive form of leukemia for two years without knowing.
“I cannot thank blood donors enough for saving my life!"
Noah Mattingly is just seven years old, but has already faced cancer head-on not just once, not twice, but three times. His family and supporters refer to him as “Super Noah"--but any superhero occasionally needs help from others to overcome adversity. For Noah, and his fight against cancer, those helpers are his friends, family, and the lifesaving blood donors right here in his community.
“When I carry in a cooler or two of blood, it is clear where it is going and the reach that it will have. I know that I am oversimplifying this, but it is a gift to do the math—each donation can save up to 3 lives and each cooler can contain 30-35 donations. It’s impossible not to be grateful to have even a small role in the power of those numbers.”
“There isn't a word that I have found to express my deep, sincere appreciation for this seemingly ‘simple’ gift. Your donation allows people to celebrate birthdays, to be there for their families, to live their lives."
“I feel the plasma saved my life and intend to donate my own plasma as soon as I'm able,” she says. “I would encourage anyone that has the antibodies to donate, because you could save another person like someone saved me. And to the person that donated for me—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your blood saved my life!
“During each round of chemotherapy, Emma's blood counts would drop. Without blood product transfusions, our little Emma would not be able to have this fighting chance at life!”
“You have no idea how much receiving blood changes your life until you need it and receive it. I am so fortunate to have been able to receive blood from the local supply.”
"What you do matters. Blood transfusions SAVED Brynn’s life. They save Brynn’s life EACH day. We have our sweet girl with us EVERY day because of generous and selfless blood donors…and we can’t wait for her to continue to show this world what she’s made of."
“I just want to help people. We know there’s a chance that this treatment could work—and if the patient has no other choice, why not? There’s nothing to lose but just an hour of our time.”
“I survived a very traumatic episode with what has been a long, challenging recovery; however, my lingering thoughts focus not on that but on the blood donors – the people who voluntarily shared their own life’s blood with me."
Livi might only be nine years old, but lifesaving already runs her veins.
“I felt like an entirely new person after the transfusion and I am so grateful that it is something I was able to receive when I desperately needed it."
“Once I was able to grasp everything that was happening and was able to realize all of the amazing people and blood product that was able to save his life, I knew it was now our turn to show our gratitude and help replenish the blood product that was used to save Noah’s life, in hopes to save others."
“In Judaism, there is no good deed greater than that of saving a human life. This is exactly what those blood donors did during Leora's Mitzvah Day. What a beautiful way to mark Leora's bat mitzvah - her entrance into a Jewish adulthood that we hope will be filled with acts of loving kindness.”
“Thank you for taking the time out of your day when you could be doing something else. Thank you for making blood donation a priority, a routine. Thank you for thinking of others--for people you don't even know. My little boy has a life completely unlike the one he would be having if he didn't receive blood and it is only because of blood donors.”
“I want blood donors to know that I will never forget them, and that they matter. Giving blood matters. I am living proof of that. I so wish I could meet my donors and give them a hug. But I will settle for raising awareness for the need of blood donation.”
"My future is much brighter and I am much more hopeful because of therapeutic apheresis. It truly has saved my life and given me relief no medicine ever has. I am able to live a normal life because of it, and be who I am instead of who PANDAS turns me into."
“Trust me as living proof, you never see it coming when you will be dependent upon these life-giving gifts from others, but when you do, you never take a drop for granted.”
"I am so thankful there are amazing, selfless, lifesaving heroes out there that are willing to donate their blood. Without these donations, I wouldn't be here to celebrate life's many tiny miracles." - Heather Bennett
"The blood products I give go to real people with real problems, and sometimes they save lives. If you're healthy, I think it's an obligation. It's the right thing to do!" - Michael Brautigam
"I would not be where I am today if it weren't for blood donors and their selfless act of kindness." - Kilee Brookbank
Blood and platelet transfusions played a critical role in Maeryn's care.
"I explained to my friends and family that I've needed blood to stay alive. I told them, wouldn't you like to save lives with a simple donation?" - Julia Gardner
Madeleine Luongo received many blood transfusions during her short life--and while she was only two months old when she passed away, her family is making sure that her short life leaves a lasting impact on the community.
"The individuals that have to live with the fatal disease known as Sickle Cell need your help. We will forever be indebted to you for giving us the opportunity that some take for granted--LIFE." - Carla Howard
Bonnie Collins is grateful to have the support of many blood and platelet donors, who were essential to keeping her daughter, Maya alive.
"My mother would not be here to fight the battle [against cancer] if she didn't have the blood transfusion at the time of her surgery." - Julie Perry
UC Physician Donates 100th Unit of Blood--And Hopes Others Will Join Him
Heidi Ely grew up believing that blood donation was just a civic duty, not a grand act of service or a reason to brag. But as an adult, she became keenly aware of the importance of donated blood--after receiving it herself.
"In a three month period, Derek received 21 units of platelets and 10 units of red blood cells, sometimes needing two or three platelet transfusions per week. These transfusions saved his life, literally." -Neil Rininger
Sammie Purtee has been donating blood for years, but learned firsthand just how crucial blood transfusions can be in an emergency situation.
A local husband and wife have made it their mission to do something good for their community by donating blood, and are encouraging others to join them.
Kaleb Kinebrew and his twin brother Kameron need blood donors to stay alive.
"I encourage people to donate, because twenty minutes of their time could give someone years of extra time."
Six local mothers from six different families, each of whom lead very different lives, all have one significant detail in common: without blood donors, they would be dead.
Taryn Walker and her brother King are flourishing at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, but the siblings haven't had the easiest time getting there.
A 17-year-old Portsmouth High School senior was tragically killed in 2008 when his friend accidentally shot him in the chest with an arrow, but an annual blood drive keeps his memory and spirit of giving alive.
At just 18-months-old, Roman Fariello was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. He fought hard through six rounds of chemotherapy and one round of high dose chemotherapy that killed his bone marrow in preparation for a stem cell transplant.
Jenah Bellamy gave an incredible gift to a couple from West Africa that almost cost her life. She was a surrogate for the couple in 2012, carrying their twins when she was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital at 26 weeks for preterm labor.
Ryan was born with a rare genetic condition that, in simple terms, left him without an immune system. He has relied on blood and platelet donors to help keep him alive.
“I think donating blood or platelets is a simple way to be a good person."