By Ryan Meyer

The sun was setting over Nashville when Jamilah Bourdon arrived at Nissan Stadium for the Red Cross x Metallica Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 29. Jamilah had come directly from Nashville’s BNA Airport. Despite the long journey from her home in New Jersey and the challenges of navigating in her wheelchair, she was determined to be part of something bigger than herself.

"Their music helps a lot of people. For whatever people are going through, there is a song they can relate to," said Jamilah of Metallica, whose All Within My Hands Foundation partnered with the Red Cross for this special blood drive. The band’s foundation is hosting blood drives across the U.S. at select stops along its tour to help ensure hospital patients never have to wait for critical, lifesaving care.

Jamilah’s connection to Metallica runs deep, dating back to her first concert on Dec. 3, 1991. But it was February 2021 when the band's music took on new meaning in her life. After a horrific accident where she was hit by a truck while riding her bike, Jamilah found herself in the hospital facing a devastating reality: she had life-altering injuries, including the loss of her right leg and partial mobility in her left.

During her extended hospital stay − two months and four days − she underwent five blood transfusions and 13 operations. Without access to music during that first month, Jamilah found herself mentally replaying Metallica's song "One," which tells the story of a severely injured soldier.

The third single from Metallica’s fourth album was inspired by Dalton Trumbo's 1939 anti-war novel "Johnny Got His Gun." The novel tells the story of a young American soldier named Joe Bonham who is catastrophically wounded during World War I. The soldier loses his arms, legs and sensory abilities, but his mind remains intact, leaving him trapped in his body unable to communicate with the outside world. Jamila says the lyrics resonated deeply with her situation and became a source of strength.

"Metallica for me is a very spiritual band and a significant part of my healing," Jamilah explained while she was donating blood.

Later during her recovery, when struggling with thoughts of suicide, she credited Metallica's song "Screaming Suicide" with encouraging her to call the suicide hotline, seeking support.

Now, Jamilah travels the world to see the band perform. This week's Nashville shows marked her 22nd and 23rd Metallica concerts. All except the first one have come post-accident. With a grin, she’s quick to clarify that as much as she loves Metallica, it's their commitment to giving back that inspires her most.

During her visit to Nashville, Jamilah didn’t just donate blood. She also volunteered at the local food bank where Metallica is coordinating another community service event to sort and box food for those in need.

For Jamilah, being part of the Metallica family has been transformative. She speaks fondly of the connections she's made through the band's forums and "Fifth Member" community. In fact, after her blood donation at Nissan Stadium, one of her friends from this community was there to pick her up.

Her journey came full circle at the blood drive. Having received five blood transfusions herself, Jamilah now helps ensure others have the blood they need in emergencies.

"When I'm at their shows, I love looking around to see people from the community who I recognize. A lot of us travel, so many of them have become friends of mine. But it's always someone's first Metallica concert. And I like seeing the people who are experiencing their first show in-person."

Through personal tragedy, community connection and the healing power of music, Jamilah’s story reminds us that giving back − whether through blood donation or supporting others − can be a powerful part of our own healing journey.

The American Red Cross, Metallica and the All Within My Hands Foundation continue to partner for blood drives across the country, helping ensure hospital patients never have to wait for critical, lifesaving care. For more partnership information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Metallica.