Sandy Trewella met her husband Jeff when she was a high school senior and he was a college freshman. They worked together at a drug store where he taught her to use the cash register. They even went to prom.

“He made life fun. He really did,” she said.

Last October would have been their 47th wedding anniversary, the first Sandy celebrated without Jeff.

“He was just one of those people you don’t forget.”

Sandy described her husband as a “great father” to their two kids and a man who “loved adventure,” especially on the water.

He owned a sailboat and a kayak and loved whitewater rafting, hiking and biking.

Sandy called Jeff a true “Renaissance man.” He earned a PhD in organic chemistry and owned several patents. He built beautiful shelves.

“He was one of those guys. I’ve never had to hire anybody to fix anything because he could fix everything.”

Jeff rarely got sick so when he started feeling bad it was unusual. A trip to the doctor led to the emergency room and an overnight hospital stay.

“As the hours went and he saw more doctors, it got worse and worse.”

Jeff had multiple myeloma, the same cancer that killed his mother more than 30 years before.

“When we got the diagnosis, it was like, alright, we can do this. He’s so healthy.”

Doctors diagnosed Jeff with cancer just as Sandy was retiring from teaching third grade after 28 years. They sought out top doctors and embraced treatment to try for a chance at remission.

They bought a big telescope so Jeff could learn about the stars, and they made countless trips to the hospital so he could get the one thing that could buy him time. Blood.

During the ten months Jeff was sick, he received more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions.

“Every time a new bag came we were so grateful to whoever had donated it.”

The transfusions didn’t just keep Jeff alive, they helped improve the quality of his life. Neighbors knew he had gotten blood on days he was able to walk his dogs or ride his lawn mower to cut the grass, because the blood transfusion gave him the energy to do it.

“He’d start to feel tired again, we’d get the blood work one day and they would say you have to come in, you need more blood.”

Sandy says Jeff felt guilty about how much blood he was getting and he told his doctors. They said, “Don’t feel guilty. Everyone gets what they need.”

To make that happen, people need to donate. Right now, The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in nearly 20 years. Blood and platelet donations are needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.

During their many trips for blood transfusions and doctor visits, Jeff helped Sandy make a checklist. A devout Catholic, he wasn’t afraid to die, but he wanted her to have a practical guide if the worst should happen. Together they planned his funeral.

Jeff died in hospice at home on Valentine’s Day 2023. He was 69 years old.

“He was such a great guy, and I just miss him so much.”

Out of gratitude to the donors who helped Jeff live longer, and to honor her beloved husband, Sandy now donates blood regularly.“

It just gives me a good feeling. That I can give back a little bit for all that we were given.”

Sandy has O negative blood, which means she is a universal donor just like her father, who also donated blood frequently. She plans to become a Red Cross volunteer so she can help more people donate blood.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

PHOTO: Blood donor Sandy Trewella with her late husband Jeff. She donates blood in his honor. Submitted photo

- Written by Jenny Farley