By Anel Laj/American Red Cross 

Imagine if I wasn’t here …

This is one of the scariest thoughts that can cross a parent’s mind. Twelve years ago, American Red Cross Business Operations Specialist, Christina Rodriguez, found herself thinking just that.

Going into labor with her first child she thought everything would be fine except for a few minor bumps, but when Rodriguez began hemorrhaging and her son was having difficulties breathing it was anything but normal. She was rushed to intensive care and her son Stephon, was admitted to neonatal intensive care.

As a first-time mom, it was a very traumatic experience. After losing a lot of blood, Rodriguez became weak and the doctors recommended her for a blood transfusion, at which Rodriguez felt hesitant. Even though her grandmother had also received frequent transfusions many years before, Rodriguez had all the myths about receiving blood swirling in her head. 

Rodriguez gave birth on a Monday and due to her fragile health had yet to see her newborn son come Thursday. The doctor also warned also of the possibility of going into cardiac arrest if she didn’t get a blood transfusion; Rodriguez’s dad gave her that extra push. She credits the love for her son, and her father’s common-sense advice for getting the much-needed blood transfusion that helped save her life.

“I couldn't imagine my son living without a mom,” Rodriguez said. “Not that he wouldn't have had great support, he would have, but that was my son. I wanted to be around for my son. I wanted to see him too. I just felt like I needed to do what I had to do to be next to him.”

Rodriguez learned that every time she gave birth there would be the possibility of hemorrhaging. Which she did. She went through the transfusion process two more times, the second involving an emergency C-section with her son London and the third time with her son Elijah. Armed with experience and first-hand knowledge, she felt comfortable and came to trust the transfusion process.

This life experience came full circle during Hispanic Heritage Month a couple of years ago when Rodriguez tried to pay it forward and donate blood. Rodriguez also thought about all those times she sat with her grandmother while her grandmother received blood. Rodriguez wanted to give back, but learned she couldn’t because she had developed anemia.

Fast forward to today, Rodriguez wants to do what she can to help raise awareness of the constant need for blood and encourage others to donate blood. Born and raised in Pacoima and having worked with Congressman Tony Cardenas early in her career, Rodriguez is especially passionate about getting the word out to the Latino and Hispanic communities.

“I don't know if it's the case for everybody, but it just feels like our people don't like to donate, they don’t like to give blood,” Rodriguez said. “For some reason too a lot of Hispanics and Latinos are scared to get help from the Red Cross because they think we’re government affiliated, but we’re not. The Red Cross is here to help you.”

Rodriguez feels that a good way to build trust within the community and bust blood donation myths is to highlight stories of people giving and benefiting from donations. She feels it’s important to share her story and reveal how important it was for her to receive blood, and even more important to donate blood to save lives. Rodriguez feels that if people can see themselves in her story and be inspired to give it would make a huge impact, especially within the Latino community. Blood donations help many people, whether it be for mothers during child births, victims of car accidents, people receiving cancer treatments or sickle cell transfusions. 

“It gave me the opportunity to raise my baby, my sons,” said Rodriguez, whose sons play basketball, flag-football, and run track. “This experience has taught me to contribute; to raise three little boys that are gonna do great things for their community. Giving blood is one of the best gifts you can get and give. It gives you more time to be with family. That’s why I feel like, wow, what a way to give back, to give blood. It changes who you are, and it changes your health, and health is wealth.”

Learn more about how to donate blood by visiting redcross.org/give-blood.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la.