By Damakant Jayshi, Volunteer Blogger/Writer

David is an American. Virginie was French. They fell in love – in Japan. Their love story is still alive, although Virginie succumbed to a rare form of cancer, in 2022, after a decades-long battle with it.

David William Buie has kept his wife, and all the wonderful memories shared with her, alive. “Virginie loved me dearly and I her. This may be the most unique aspect of this story,” David said in a recent interview with the American Red Cross.

Over 20 years ago, Mrs. Buie had been diagnosed with Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells. David says she waged a valiant battle, but the disease proved stronger. The bone marrow of a person with this cancer produces too many abnormal white blood cells, swamping out the healthy blood cells. For the last 18 months of her life, Virginie required frequent blood transfusions.

Inspired by his wife, David, and his daughter Gabrielle donated blood to the American Red Cross in Georgia recently. Although this was Gabrielle’s first-time donating blood, David has already donated 5 pints, his first donation being about 10 years ago in Greenville, South Carolina. They had lived in the city for four years before moving to France in 2003 so that Virginie could be closer to her family there.

A Brooklet, Georgia native, David now lives in France with his daughter. This past Christmas, they visited David’s son Jonathan to celebrate Christmas with all his family in America. David and Gabrielle chose to donate blood on December 30 as it was his and Virginie’s wedding anniversary date.

“I did not donate since that Greenville donation until I started again after the death of my wife,” David said. “I have tried to donate every two months as allowed whether I am in France or USA.”

David wants to continue to donate blood. “I have a long way to catch up to the number that my wife received. Many people helped her over the years.”

The couple met in Ota, Japan in 1991 and soon fell in love. They worked at a Michelin tire factory where Virginie taught in a school for the children of the Michelin expatriates and David worked as a software developer. The following year she left for Ottawa, Canada, to teach in a school there. For three years they maintained a long-distance relationship, keeping their love alive and strong. They married in 1995 and lived in Hong Kong for a few years where their twins Gabrielle and Jonathan were born.

The first signs of the illness became visible in 1994 in Ottawa. Soon, the doctors in Greenville, South Carolina confirmed it too. The treatment for the rare form of cancer began in France, where the couple had moved.

David still remembers the trips to the hospital in Perpignan, France that his wife and he would make – every 2-3 weeks for blood transfusions.

“We pay forward the gift that all those people gave to Virginie so she could stay with us as long as she did,” David says. “I could not imagine arriving at the hospital for her transfusion and them telling us we don’t have enough.”

The father of two believes giving blood saves lives. “I help save a life every time I give blood.”

How does he feel about giving blood? Buie says, “You get a great feeling when you give.”

When speaking of his initial experience donating blood, David says it can make people feel “uncomfortable” and “squeamish” since the act might be a little painful. “But when you think about the impact it can have, the effort is minuscule.”

In any case, David adds that after a few sessions, it becomes easy. He looked forward to giving again after his first experience. Buie says, “I always knew there was a need to give blood and it helped people. I saw how it helped my wife on a recurring basis and it reinforced what a lifesaving act it is.”

In addition to donating blood to the American Red Cross, part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, David’s other connection to the organization is his sister who is a disaster volunteer, helping those who have been affected by home fires.

Meeting people who have donated blood through the Red Cross has been a wonderful experience for David. “I have gained an appreciation of the generosity of people and the camaraderie of this group of givers.”

David, whose intent is to continue donating blood, has a message for people. “One day one of your loved ones will need blood. What we do on a continued basis ensures that blood will be ready for your loved one as well as others.”

How to donate blood

To make your blood donation appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS – or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Find the next open appointment near you.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.