By Bob Loftis

American Red Cross staff and volunteers are like family, we care about each other’s health and happiness, especially when challenges appear. We first heard Liza Trujillo Frazer’s story at a blood donation presentation at an elementary school where she shared her personal journey with Brian Oftedal, a long-time dedicated supporter of Red Cross educational events. They both have children who attend the same school.

Brian knew of Liza through their mutual parent leadership, and he admires her work, “Liza is all about community. She is a huge support at our school, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like here without her. And how she has managed her own health challenges is remarkable: from being a reliable blood donor to being a recipient, a life-changing transition.”

Liza’s love of families and children was strengthened in her early twenties as a case manager for a private facility for higher needs foster kids and for social welfare programs for teen parents at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She strived to help clients have the best outcomes possible. The hospital also encouraged staff to donate blood and Liza gladly responded. Over 13 years she gave close to 5 gallons of her blood to help others in need. She was deeply motivated by the sick children she continually saw at the facility.

But things changed for Liza in 2008 when she discovered her own serious medical challenges and was no longer able to donate: she became, instead, a blood recipient, desperately needing our resources.

“I never thought when I was donating blood to help others that, years later, I would be a recipient,” said Liza.

Liza had been stricken with ulcerative colitis, causing anemia, followed by pulmonary hypertension. Along with the pain, treatments, and worry, she now needed blood to save her own life. There were many hard years, but her faith stayed strong, and she had some periods of recovery.

During this struggle, Liza and her devoted husband, David, were amazed and delighted to discover that, despite many odds during a period of recovery, she became pregnant with their first son, Ezequiel, now 8. The delivery went just fine. In fact, the pregnancy helped her into remission.

After a couple of years, she became pregnant again, but now in a worsened health condition. Against the advice of her specialists and facing more complicated consequences, she persevered, under close specialty care and had another boy, Manuel, now 5. Her faith guided her through the worries of doctors, family, and friends.

“I’m so deeply thankful to those who donate blood, because of them, I can continue to be the wife, mom and caretaker my family needs,” said Liza.

Liza’s deep, enduring faith and determination to find solutions to life’s profound challenges are an inspiration to her family and community. She gladly offers her insights on her complicated illnesses and treatments.

“As a member of the American Red Cross Leadership Council, we all thank Liza for her years of blood donation and all the work she does to improve the health of our community today,” shared Brian.

At that elementary school meeting, Liza was representing her role as the Family Fun Coordinator. Indeed, spend some time with Liza and you will reconsider your own worries and see more possibilities all around us. We are so fortunate to be able to help in her recovery!