Amber Hanson was a healthy 26-year-old who had never had a reason to think about the importance of blood donation. But that all changed in 2020 when she suddenly noticed her health was declining.

She began experiencing nose bleeds, bruising, night sweats and extreme fatigue. A series of tests revealed she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

“Essentially my bone marrow was so full of cancer that they were spilling out into my bloodstream,” Amber said.

She was quickly transferred to a care team at the University of Washington in Seattle. During the year and a half of treatment that followed – including a stem cell transplant -- Amber received 21 blood transfusions and 12 platelet transfusions. Blood products that played a significant role in her recovery.

“There was a huge spike in energy,” she said of the transfusions. "Most of the time cancer treatments leave you really fatigued and lethargic and then you get that boost from a bag of blood and it makes a whole lot of difference.”

After four years of remission, the leukemia reappeared in December 2024, and Amber received at least three more platelet transfusions during another round of treatment.

But now she’s doing well and feeling great.  

“I’m back to work and my energy is back,” she said. “I’m very grateful for this life I have been given.”

And she’s got something really big to look forward to later this summer.

“My fiancé and I are getting married in August,” she said.

While she is unable to donate blood herself because of the leukemia, Amber’s mom and aunt both give on her behalf. And she’s incredibly grateful for the donors who rolled up their sleeves and helped make some dark days a little brighter.

“Thank you is not enough,” she said. “Blood transfusions bring peace and a sense that everything’s going to be OK in the midst of a crazy situation.

“I don’t know what would have happened had I not been able to receive all of those transfusions.”

On July 8, Amber’s church – Vineyard Boise Christian Fellowship – hosts a Red Cross blood drive, and Amber encourages all those who can to donate and help someone like herself.

“If they have the time, it’s crucial to help people like me -- who out of the blue -- life just hits you with something and you can’t really do anything about it,” she said. “I didn’t really understand how important it is until being on the receiving end.”

To sign up for the Vineyard drive or any drive in your area, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter your zip code. Donating blood takes less than an hour, and a single donation can save more than one life.