American Red Cross Sponsor Luncheon

What an absolutely amazing day!

Several weeks ago, I was asked to speak at the American Red Cross (Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region) Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon. I immediately said yes and have been looking forward to today every since.

The luncheon took place at the The Inn at Fredericksburg Square in Fredericksburg, VA. The Inn was just beautiful beyond words and the room itself hearkened back to yesteryear and truly made me appreciate it's architecture and intangible grace. It's charm alone made you think of sweet tea and lazy summer days in the south - well, at least it did for me.

The grand scale of the room was befitting of the day, thanking the sponsors that so tirelessly give of their time, heart, and effort to save the lives of those in their communities.

Working with Stephanie at the ARC has been a wonderful experience and she certainly has been one of my personal advocates and understands my overall purpose. I was excited for her today as this was the first event that she coordinated on her own, and in my opinion - it was smashing!


During the luncheon, there was time for general housekeeping notes, but more importantly, we were able to see a vision for the future and to award those sponsors that have gone above and beyond in every sense. I was able to share my personal story and my on-going needs so that they can have a tangible reference for the work they do.



I have said it before and I will continue to say it, connect donors and sponsors to the lives that they save is crucial in the recruitment and retainage of donors. Actively pursuing high schools, who account for 19% of donors, is on the top of the ARC recruitment list.

Today, I feel blessed to have been asked to participate in this wonderful event. This was a moment for me to see those corporate/community/church/radio/etc sponsors that work to save lives every day. To my friends at the ARC, I am humbled by your continued support and availability.

Surely, I wouldn't be here today without the very people I spent time with today. Thank You.

I know the pictures are a little fuzzy, a new camera is on my wish list! But enjoy in the meantime.

Thanking Donors Nationally

This new 30-second public service announcement will be played at AMC movie theaters nationwide from May 21 to June 10... it features real blood recipients in everyday situations including Lauren Larsen, a 200 pint recipient. Check it out!



This 30-second public service announcement, produced by In The Telling, features real blood recipients in everyday situations including Lauren Larsen, who is now president of the Foundation for America's Blood Centers.

Anemic with Iron Overload?

It's true, you can be anemic with iron overload.

Anemia is diagnosed when hemoglobin levels are too low. Blood transfusions are often given to increase hemoglobin levels. The healthy red blood cells you receive during a transfusion give you more hemoglobin, which helps your blood carry more oxygen. This is one reason people with anemia feel better after they receive a transfusion.

However, if you have anemia and have had 10 or more transfusions during your lifetime, then you may be at risk for iron overload.

This seems mind boggeling especially since your body is depleted of iron. Well, in simple terms, a lot of anemics only need 1 transfusion and their levels are restored and are fine the rest of their life. In my may case, I have had transfusions and iron infusions, yet my counts are still extremely low. Therefore, I do not run the risk of iron overload.

We know the risk of being anemic, so are their side effects of too much iron? YES! Just as severe as not having enough. As iron builds up in the body, it can lead to serious health problems, such as a weakened immune system, diabetes, and heart failure.

Iron is good for you—in the right amount. Iron helps your body work properly. But too much iron can be harmful. If you have had 10 or more blood transfusions, you may have too much iron in your body. That's because every time you have a transfusion, you get healthy red blood cells that your body needs. But you also get extra iron that your body doesn't need.

Iron cannot be removed from the blood before the transfusion. Iron helps red blood cells do their job. Without iron, the healthy red blood cells that you get during your transfusion won't be able to carry oxygen. But your body doesn't have a natural way to get rid of this iron. Over time the iron builds up in your body causing a condition called iron overload.

Too much iron naturally, or Hemochromatosis (HHC), is also a serious disorder that is from an increased iron absorbtion rate in the diet. HHC can lead to another host of diseases including diabetes mellitus, irregular heart beat or heart attack, arthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis), cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, depression, impotence, infertility, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and some cancers. Mismanaged iron in the brain is seen in those patients with neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's, early onset Parkinson's, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease.

In short, it's important to understand that your body has a fine balance of nutrients and minerals that it needs to function. Know your body and know when it's time to see your doctor. Only they can determine what the true issue is, but you must be pro-active in being healthy and understanding your body.

A Belated Anniversary

So, between being extremely busy and being in/out of treatments - I missed my blog's 1st anniversary! As unbelievable as it may seem, the blog is just over a year old, and while I have been advocating for years, I didn't decide to be so public about my personal health and efforts until last year.

This past year has taken me from shaking the hands of donors, to filming public service announcements/sponsor videos, to delivering keynote addresses at several events. I never imagined that just by having a blog or a website, that my voice would become so much louder or far reaching. As I review the stats on the blog each week, I see visitors from Australia, South Africa, California, and even my hometown. It's humbling to know that perhaps one post or one statement might give someone the inspiration to save a life - I know in the emails I receive many appreciate the work I'm doing - and I very much enjoy the work. Truthfully, it's little like work and more like an adventure - I learn something new every day.

I have been blessed this year to connect with wonderful people within organizations that are saving lives every minute. From Stephanie and Kelly at the American Red Cross to Carrie at the Delmarva Blood Bank, I appreciate all of their efforts and hard work in spreading my story. To the local volunteers and team of coordinators, those efforts are sometimes the least desirable yet yield the most thanks for without those efforts, donors couldn't donate.

So, as I walk into the next year of the blog - I look forward to seeing where on this web I will go. Yet knowing that it is making a difference, makes it all worth it.

Thank you for reading and visiting. Thank you to the donors that have saved my life, time and time again. Thank you to the endless hours by volunteers and staff. I appreciate each and every moment of time, heart, and passion you dedicate to saving lives - saving my life.

Remember, It's Hip 2 Give!

Tea with the Thetas of JMU

Recently, I was invited to speak at the James Madison University's Kappa Alpha Theta (Eta Rho) Chapter's "Influential Women of Virginia" Tea. I was honored to receive this invite and gladly attended the spring-time event that was shared with chapter members, alumnae, family and friends.

Having never joined a sorority myself, I had envisioned groups that were more like those in the college films of yesteryear when actually, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the purpose of the group is much more purposeful than I had thought. For this organization their purpose is that the ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of highest scholarship. The social aim of the Fraternity is to exercise the widest influence for good and the moral aim of the organization is to be the standard of love. I was very impressed with the group of young ladies, to say the least.

Their mission is "Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Kappa Alpha Theta exists to nurture each member throughout her college and alumnae experience and to offer a lifelong opportunity for social, intellectual, and moral growth as she meets the higher and broader demands of mature life." I found that this statement truly reflected in each young ladies' desire to lead a purposeful life.

For many, spring break was a trip to assist orphanages in foreign countries or other such mission work. They didn't spend their time in a selfish manner, but in a very selfless manner.


The tea itself was just a small portion of a weekend that included a benefit dinner for CASA, (their national charity alliance), a 5K race to benefit CASA and several other fun activities.

During the tea I had the opportunity to share my testimony and encourage the young ladies to further feel empowered and achieve their dreams. I truly enjoyed speaking with the young ladies and their mothers after the tea, hearing their stories of life and how they are making a difference.

Everyday, these ladies, and many other in their generation are choosing to make a difference through volunteering and service. It's moments like this tea that we can thank them, encourage them, and continue to empower their efforts. Providing support to their service is a positive reinforcement that we can all give in order to ensure a healthier and brighter tomorrow.

Lifeline to Tomorrow

Well it seems for every stride I might take, there is always a reminder of why I continue to be an advocate for blood donors. Just is the case with my latest treatment.

For the last month to 6 weeks, I had not been feeling myself and my energy/motivation had significantly dropped. More importantly, I was napping frequently, doing as little as possible, and even with the increase in temperatures, I was keeping my scarf tied tightly around my neck. It wasn't old man winter coming back.

Anemia can be a debilitating disease when not treated properly and in my case I am receiving some of the best care there is, but sometimes, things just can't be helped.

After feeling bad for a period of time and not seeing a significant increase in my HCT/HGB levels and an extremely elevated RDW, the team of doctors determined it was time for an infusion of iron and added 2 pints of red cells in order to bring me to capacity.

There seems to be a mystery for the anemia - there is no blood loss evident (remember, I can no longer have children) and they have run every major test to determine other diseases with anemia as a side effect. At this time, my base levels are just significantly lower than average.

The iron infusion is a last resort and has very serious side effects, luckily, because the good doctors know that I am allergic to the very thing I need, the infusions are delivered with added steroids and antibiotics in order to combat any rejection. At this time, I am dealing with very uncomfortable stomach pains which I am hoping subside soon - but, at least I have another tomorrow.

Today is a bright day and I'm even more thankful for a wonderful and talented team of doctors and blessed by blood donors that continue to give.