By Lakyn Webb

When Diane Holmes donates blood, she does it with more than strangers in mind. She thinks of her nephew Brett, who died tragically from blood loss at just 16 years old.

“Brett was a young man who loved riding motorcycles and dirt bikes,” Holmes said. “He was very athletic, very good looking, and very smart. One day, he had a bad accident where his arm went through a window. By the time the paramedics arrived, he was gone. He was only 16.”

That loss reshaped her life. For the past eight years, Holmes has given blood as often as she can, always carrying Brett’s memory with her. “I’ve donated in his honor ever since,” she shared.

But Holmes’ commitment to giving began years earlier. She is a cancer survivor who once joined a clinical trial for a new treatment, earning her oncologist’s nickname of ‘the pioneer woman’.

“We didn’t know what would happen during the trial,” she said. “It was exciting to be part of that. What’s amazing is that it’s still the first-line treatment they use today.”

During her treatment, Holmes also received blood transfusions, a gift she never forgot. “That experience made me realize just how much we depend on blood donors; it saved my life,” she said. For many people with cancer, transfusions offer the critical support they need to continue treatment and recovery. Holmes’ experience underscored how essential blood donors are in giving patients the strength to keep fighting.

Cancer has touched every corner of her family. Holmes, her parents, and her two siblings have all faced diagnoses. Her survival, and the challenges her family endured, gave her a deep understanding of how fragile life can be and how vital it is to give others a chance to keep fighting.

The American Red Cross has given Holmes a way to turn both grief and survival into something lasting. “I don’t think people realize how much one donation can do,” she explained. “By giving just once, you can help three people. That’s amazing to me.”

One part of the process she especially enjoys is receiving text updates from the Red Cross, which inform her when and where her blood is used. “The Red Cross lets you know where your donation goes. Sometimes I’ve even gotten a message saying my blood saved three people’s lives,” Holmes said. “That’s pretty exciting when you stop and think about it.”

Every pint Holmes gives is a silent tribute to Brett, a way of turning heartbreak into hope for someone else’s family. She often thinks about how proud he would be to see her giving back in his honor. “Giving blood is something I can do to help others,” she said.

Holmes’ dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Friends and family often ask about her donations, and she is always eager to encourage them to roll up their sleeves, too. “I fully believe in the Red Cross and stand behind it,” she stated. For her, the choice is simple: “Everybody knows it feels good to help people, and donating blood is one easy way anyone can.”

Every day, donated blood helps people in crisis, whether it’s someone injured in an accident, a patient undergoing cancer treatment, or a mother facing complications during childbirth. Holmes hopes her story inspires others to step forward, too. “If you’ve thought about donating but haven’t done it yet, I’d say just go for it,” she said excitingly. “You never know how many lives you might touch.”

To find a blood drive near you, visit redcrossblood.org and enter in your zip code.