By Jerrica Williams, American Red Cross

You never know how strong you are until you have no choice. The loss of a loved one can feel like a wound that may never heal, especially during the holiday season.

John Raterman, an American Red Cross of Georgia volunteer for Foundation Grant Writing and Biomedical Services, has been donating blood and platelets for over 40 years. His willingness to donate began in high school when a friend was diagnosed with Leukemia, but his inspiration and obligation to donate did not end there.

Described as the most complex and significant part of his blood donation history, Raterman shared that “during the 1980s, he and his wife lost three children to a rare mitochondrial disease, and two more daughters have been diagnosed with the same disease but continue to survive by the grace of God.”

“While blood products cannot cure this cellular-level disease, my motivation is to do anything I can to prevent the death of a child and save parents from the crushing pain of losing a child,” says Raterman.

Over the years, Raterman has donated 309 platelet units and 38 gallons of blood. He shares that his history of donations has given him spiritual joy, knowing that his donations could have saved a life and saved many parents from the grief of loss.

Raterman’s own grief inspired him to write a short novel titled “The Shepard’s Gift: The First Christmas Mourning”. In the book, Raterman retells a Christmas story of a father who has lost a child. His book tells the story specifically from a father’s perspective, as he believes women have an abundance of support networks while men are generally reluctant to discuss loss as it leads to tears. “My hope is that this story provides some measure of comfort to grieving, peace to the restless, healing to the heartsick, and direction to the lost,” Raterman says. “May your tears nourish new growth in your heart and return the joy of Christmas to you and yours.”

In addition to donating lifesaving blood and platelets, Raterman and his wife, Mary, have opened their hearts and their home as a foster family to support infant adoptions. The couple cares for newborn babies directly from the hospital and cares for them until an adopting family is chosen and the revocation period expires. The Raterman family has fostered 147 children over the past 20 years.

To make an appointment to donate blood or platelets for patients waiting for care, please visit recrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.