Paige Vick of Murrells Inlet donates blood and platelets in honor of her friend, Michael, who passed away after his battle with cancer. Michael depended on platelet transfusions throughout his treatment which he received in the Tideland Oncology Center where Paige works as a phlebotomist.
"Michael was here once a week to check his platelet levels and determine if he needed a transfusion. He fought his battle for a long time," Paige Vick, a phlebotomist at an oncology center in Murrells Inlet, SC describes a patient with whom she'd built a friendship. "I'll never forget the day he came in and told me: 'it gets so tiring waiting on other people's blood,' because that is what kept him alive. Once he said that, it stuck with me."
Unfortunately, Michael Keohane passed, and in his obituary, it mentioned his last wish was that people keep his memory alive by donating blood, especially platelets, because that's what kept him alive for as long as possible. Paige is now committed to blood and platelet donation in honor of her friend, Michael.
Platelets are tiny cells in the blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds, someone needs platelets. Platelets must be transfused within just five days after donation - so there is a constant, often critical need for new and current donors to give to keep up with hospital demand.
"He was so grateful for blood donors because transfusion kept him going. That's why I give blood for Michael, and I'll continue to do so," said Paige as she shared her upcoming appointment to give platelets. "It works out perfect because my blood type is good for platelets."
Platelet donation is a little different than a regular whole blood donation. Platelet donation uses a machine to extract just your platelets and then returns the rest of your blood back to you. From start to finish, it takes about three hours to donate platelets. All blood types, except for type O negative and type B negative, are encouraged to try platelet donation. Type O negative and type B negative can make the most impact on patients in need by continuing to give whole blood or a Power Red donation.
"I get to witness firsthand that blood products are literally what keep people alive who depend on transfusions. Give, give, give as often as you can," Paige describes the urgent need for more platelet donors. "It's easy, the collections staff are great, they talk to you; the whole process is simple. If you can save a life - just do it."
Join Paige in helping to save lives. Find a blood drive near you and sign up to give blood today.
