On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, Megan Diffee sat in a blood donation center in Columbia and gave blood. It was the first time in nearly two years that she was eligible to give.

For Megan, it was a full circle, monumental moment.

“Today was another big milestone for me that brought me a lot of joy,” Diffee said.

To understand the, ‘why?’ behind that moment, you have to look back several years. For five years, Megan Diffee worked as a Blood Drive coordinator for Southeastern Freight Lines. She was responsible for working with the American Red Cross to help schedule, promote and recruit employees to donate blood. She herself was a diligent donor who would give when she could.

That changed in May of 2018. At 9 a.m., along Highway 1 in Lexington, an impaired drive hit her head on going 60 miles per hour.

“When that happened, I was immediately transported to the ICU,” said Diffee.

Her injuries were severe. She suffered several injuries including multiple skull fractures, damage to major arteries in her neck, a broken arm, bruised lungs, two broken legs, a broken ankle and a broken foot. Part of her recovery included blood transfusions.

“I received numerous units of blood,” said Diffie. “I couldn’t tell you how many.”

From spending years of advocating for donations and giving herself, she became the one that was in need. After 25 days in the ICU she was released but still faced months and months of recovery.

That recovery continues today, but Megan is using her story to encourage others to become donors.

“It can make such a life changing experience for someone who you may never know or may never meet. It is something way beyond what you can fathom,” said Diffee. “This is something that does not cost a thing and there are so many places you can do a blood donation.”

After receiving blood transfusions, Megan was required to wait 12 months before she was eligible to donate.

On Wednesday, she walked into the donor center in Columbia ready to give. After completing the eligibility screening, she sat in the chair and gave blood like she had so many times before.

“Think about the people that you love? Even if you don’t need blood maybe one of them may need it one day,” said Diffee. “This is saving people’s lives. It is absolutely saving people’s lives.”

Don’t wait – help now!

1.     Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

2.     Let your friends and family know there is a constant need for blood and ask them to give now.

3.     Bring someone to donate with you.

Every day, volunteer blood and platelet donors across the country are needed to help save lives. Your support can help ensure that blood products are there for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

Make an appointment to give now.  

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.  The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC