Story told by Cheary Shelim, Red Cross Volunteer

Becky Sharpe, a blood donor for the last 24 years, recalls the distressing time after her son, Ian, suffered a tragic accident at work. Ian was rushed to a trauma center and received emergency blood transfusions, but sadly, he didn’t survive.

“It was absolutely the most devastating thing that I and our family had ever experienced,” said Becky, from Summerville, SC. “But I began to realize through working through my grief that I was now his legacy. It wasn’t supposed to be that way, you know? It’s out of order when a child goes first. But I am his legacy.”

The heartbreaking experience of losing her son caused Becky to think of ways she could make a difference in the lives of other people. One day, while attending a grief support group, Becky was encouraged to do something special in remembrance of her son. ‘Do something concrete,’ she remembers they advised. 

“A plan to do something that you can say, ‘I did this. I followed through on it. And I did it in memory of my child,’” said Becky of her decision to donate her blood to the American Red Cross.  

Every time Becky gives blood, she thinks of her son and the powerful difference it can make for others.  

“It’s quite a moving experience—I’m sitting in that chair, and I’ve got my arm wrapped. They insert the needle, and yeah, it pinches a little bit. But I just kind of translate that in my mind to a big hug from my son,” said Becky. “I think of [the lives] that I may be impacting and as his legacy, I’m really proud of that.” 

Through the years, Becky has donated blood 50 times. With each donation of whole blood, her gift has the potential to save more than one life. 

“It's an honor,” she reflects. “It’s kind of mind-blowing to think about the possibilities of the impact of that small, one-hour-at-a-time [donation]. I go out of there knowing that I’ve done something concrete that is going to make a difference in the lives of other people.” 

There is a constant need for blood and platelet donors. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood products. You can join Becky in making a lifesaving difference. Schedule a blood donation near you today: redcrossblood.org