Erica Salas, of North Augusta, is a passionate advocate for blood donations and the American Red Cross after her daughter’s life-threatening congenital condition led her to see first-hand the lifesaving power of blood donations. Erica’s experience moved her to begin donating blood with the Red Cross, despite her anxiety surrounding the blood donation process.

During the birth of her third child, Erica was informed that while her pregnancy had gone as planned, her daughter had a life-threatening congenital condition—one they weren't sure she would survive.

At the time of her daughter’s birth, Erica’s husband was deployed to Afghanistan, leaving his family without a way to contact him to share the news of his daughter’s birth and the medical complications to follow. However, the American Red Cross’s Military Families Emergency Communications Team stepped in. Through their emergency communications network, they were able to assist in bringing Erica’s husband home to be with his family and newborn daughter.

As the Salas’s daughter’s condition progressed, the doctors agreed that surgery was necessary. Due to her condition, her blood was not clotting, making the surgery high-risk. While the surgery was successful, the Salas’ were informed that their daughter had needed ten (10) units of lifesaving blood during the procedure. While she remained in the neonatal intensive care unit for several months, their newborn daughter had been given a fighting chance during the procedure, a procedure that may have had a different outcome if the necessary blood had not been readily available.

“I wish they [the Red Cross] could give me their names. If I could [speak with them] I would just say, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Erica describes her immense gratitude toward the donors who gave the blood her daughter received. 

After seeing firsthand the lifesaving impact of blood donations, Salas decided to become a blood donor for the first time, regardless of the anxiety the donation process created.

“I knew I wanted to donate blood, but I had a lot of anxiety about it the first time. However, I was honest with them and told the team members how anxious I was. They made the entire experience better and worked with my anxiety.”

If you are like Salas and struggle with anxiety when it comes to donating blood, this is her advice to you:

“It’s a whole lot easier than you think, and the people are nice and helpful throughout the process. I wouldn’t have my child with me right now if they had not donated. That’s why you should donate; that’s why I donate. It’s as straightforward as this: blood donations save lives.”

If you are not currently a blood donor but are interested in learning more about the process and its importance, please visit redcrossblood.org

Additionally, if you or a loved one serve in the military and are interested in learning more about the resources the American Red Cross Military Services - Emergency Communications Team offers please visit redcross.org/SAF