By Bethany Bray Patterson, American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager

Dan Nelson of Reisterstown, Maryland, donates blood regularly and says that the follow-up email he receives from the Red Cross that shows which hospital received his donated blood sparks a memory and connection to his son, Charlie.

Charlie, a Maryland native and 20-year old student at West Virginia University, was in an accident in May 2021. He was rushed to a hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, and the doctors and staff tried their best to save Charlie’s life, but unfortunately, he didn’t survive.

The Nelson family later learned that hospital staff had given Charlie 100 units of blood that day in their valiant efforts to save his life, says his father.

Charlie, a dean’s list student and engineering major, had just finished his sophomore year at WVU and had his whole life ahead of him. In the midst of their shock and grief, Charlie’s mom, Janice, and the family came up with an idea that would honor Charlie – and the medical personnel and blood donors who played a part in trying to save him.

Charlie’s brother, Joey, spoke at Charlie’s funeral and invited the friends and family in attendance to consider donating blood to match the 100 units that were given to Charlie on the day he died.

The generosity that has followed that invitation has been overwhelming, says Dan Nelson. They haven’t kept any kind of official tally, but the family has heard from many, many people who have donated blood in Charlie’s honor.

They have been touched and inspired by the community of friends and family -- even Charlie’s high school math teacher -- who have donated blood, Dan said.

“We are not exactly sure how many donations have been done in Charlie’s honor, but I’m sure it’s more than 100 at this point,” said Dan. “Strangers gave my son a chance [through donated blood used for transfusions], and it devastatingly didn’t work out. Strangers at least gave him a chance, along with the incredible healthcare workers, and donating blood is a way of expressing thanks and trying to pay it forward.”

Someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, and volunteer blood donors are the only source of blood and platelets for those in need. The American Red Cross provides roughly 40% of the nation’s blood supply and needs to collect about 12,500 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

“Until it hits close to home, most of us don’t appreciate the criticality of blood donations,” Dan said. “I would invite people not to wait until it hits so close to home to them to realize how valuable and meaningful it is to give regularly. It feels great [to donate]. It’s a beautiful way to feel connected and engage with your community and experience generosity.”

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The need for blood is constant. Blood donations to the Red Cross help ensure new moms, premature babies, cancer patients and accident victims have access to safe, lifesaving blood.

Every day, volunteer blood and platelet donors are needed across the country to help save lives. When you roll up a sleeve to donate, you help change a life.

Schedule an appointment to donate today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.