“It’s one of those things where you don't really think about it until you need it … and then when you need it, you really, really need it.”

Casey Frary isn’t a fan of needles, but she’s been around plenty. And she knows the good that comes from the simple act of rolling up a sleeve to donate blood.

“It’s three seconds of pain for saving a life,” she said.

Decades ago strangers made all the difference for Casey.

Born with an incurable heart condition that thickens the walls of her heart, Casey underwent open heart surgery at just 2 years old.

“She had to go on a heart lung machine, and she needed live blood that day,” said Casey’s mom, Lynne Frary, who lives in Boise.

Casey's family lived over 60 miles away from the hospital. No one with immediate access to a Red Cross blood donation center matched her blood type that morning; they wasted no time finding donors close to the hospital who did.

“We needed five people to donate blood that morning,” Lynne said. “And my friend found five people.”

The Red Cross made sure those critical blood donations were ready for Casey’s procedure.

Now 43 years old, she has conquered every challenge that’s come her way.

“Outside of there being a couple things here or there that I didn't get to do, I found ways around them,” she said. “We go to the doctor every year for a checkup, and she'd be like, ‘Can I be on the soccer team?’”, Lynne said. "'How about bowling? Can I be on the tennis team?’”

They want others to have that same chance at life. Lynne is passionate about helping patients of all blood types get the treatment they need.

“You never know when you're going to be in a car accident or get sick,” she said. “Like Casey, you need blood and you have to hope that it's there,” Lynne said. “Because it's critical -- life and death.”

Lynne hosted a virtual blood drive and volunteers at in-person blood drives, gathering support for her daughter’s journey and encouraging others to roll up a sleeve and save a life.

“The Red Cross has done an amazing job at raising awareness for Casey,” Lynne said.

“I feel absolutely supported. Whoever that blood’s supporting to a certain extent is a stand in of me,” said Casey. “So, you know, it's somebody who really needs that blood who's receiving it.”

Decades later, Casey is preparing for a surgery to replace her aortic heart valve.

“I really, really like my team of doctors that I have and feel really confident with them.”

From loved ones and medical experts to blood donors and the Red Cross – this network of support has always been critical for patients – and the need for lifesaving blood remains.

“We need to support the Red Cross,” Lynne said. “The tables have turned.”

“I would just encourage folks to spend five or 10 minutes Googling blood shortages … just see how big a difference blood donation can really make,” Casey said.“You're literally saving lives.”