Written by Amy Miller, Communications Manager

Isa Obando of Paducah, KY has always been someone who finds ways to help others. The 19-year-old Western Kentucky University (WKU) sophomore spends her time giving back through her involvement with Kappa Delta sorority, supporting local nonprofits, and helping recruit blood donors at WKU blood drives held in partnership with the American Red Cross.

But in December 2025, Isa experienced firsthand just how meaningful those donations can be when she became the person in need of the lifesaving gift she had encouraged others to give.

While driving home from WKU with a friend for holiday break, snow began falling and worsening road conditions created a dangerous situation. The vehicle hit a patch of black ice, lost control, crossed the interstate and struck a guard rail before an oncoming vehicle hit the passenger side where Isa was sitting.

Both students were seriously injured. Isa suffered significant blood loss and required emergency medical care, including multiple blood transfusions.

“I was bleeding for at least forty minutes,” said Isa. “I couldn’t move anything but my arms.”

Isa was initially transported to a hospital in Owensboro before being transferred to the trauma center at UofL Hospital in Louisville due to the severity of her injuries. There, doctors worked for eight hours to control her bleeding and stabilize multiple internal injuries, including broken ribs, a shattered pelvis, internal organ lacerations and a collapsed lung.

She also received six units of blood during her treatment, blood that Isa says gave her the chance to survive and continue the life she had been building. The average adult has approximately 10 units of blood, or about 1.5 gallons, in their body.

Encouraging others to donate blood and now being a recipient has been especially meaningful because giving blood has been part of Isa’s family, including her mom and brother.

“My family is big on giving blood,” said Isa. “I’m O negative, so I knew I really helped someone when I donated.”

O negative blood is considered the universal blood type and is frequently used in emergencies when a patient’s blood type is unknown, including trauma situations.

Isa is working to stay involved as much as she can on campus while she continues to recover and looks forward to getting involved with future philanthropic events at WKU, including Kappa Delta Shenanigans, a dance and lip-sync competition benefiting The Family Enrichment Center of Bowling Green and Prevent Child Abuse America. Her experience with the crash and the people who helped her afterward has also solidified her goal of becoming a trauma social worker and her desire to continue supporting the need for blood donations.

“Donating blood is such a selfless act,” said Isa. “You don’t really realize how much it means to someone until you go through it.”

Traumatic injuries rise in the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day from car accidents, ATV crashes, sports injuries and other summer activities. These emergencies drive higher-than-usual demand for blood transfusions during the summer. You can help ensure blood is available for patients in need by making an appointment to donate blood through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).