By Shaylee Stevens, Volunteer Writer

OGDEN, Utah – For many American Red Cross volunteers, World Blood Donor Day on June 14 is a time to honor existing blood donors and encourage new donors to give. But for Kirsten Stuart, a Red Cross of Northern Utah communications volunteer, World Blood Donor Day is more meaningful than ever this year.

Kirsten, a Red Cross volunteer for almost eight years, is well acquainted with the mission of the Red Cross – especially the need for blood donors. A donor herself, she has spent much of her time as a communications volunteer crafting messages for social media, promoting blood drives and finding unique ways to encourage eligible donors to get involved. But then her mother got sick.

Crisis comes to Volunteer’s home
On May 20th of this year, Kirsten’s experience with the Red Cross took on a new meaning when her 81-year-old mother, Patricia Crosslin, started feeling unwell.

“I was helping her do some exercises and things like that when I noticed she didn’t seem to be doing well all of a sudden,” Kirsten said. “She couldn’t catch her breath and she had lost a lot of color in her face, so I told her right away that we were going to the doctor. I just had a gut feeling something was wrong.”

After a visit to the doctor and a few blood tests, Kirsten was instructed to take her mother to the emergency room due to extremely low hemoglobin counts, meaning the blood wasn’t circulating oxygen through the body effectively. Once at the hospital, doctors quickly decided that her mother Patricia needed a blood transfusion. As the nurses set up the equipment, Kirsten was surprised to see a familiar symbol on the unit of blood.

A full-circle moment is emotional for mother and daughter
“I was trying to stay calm for my mom, but when I saw that Red Cross symbol on the side of the bag, I was overcome with emotions,” Kirsten said. “I've done a lot of work promoting blood services and donating blood, so it felt like a full circle moment. It was really rewarding.”

Looking back on the frightening day, Patricia says she felt pride and honor knowing how the blood saving her life had been collected. She received five units of blood in total – three the first night in the hospital and two more at later dates – all of which were from Red Cross blood donations.

“Because of five random people who chose to donate blood, I get to keep on living and enjoying life,” Patricia said. “It was a scary moment, but it was a relief to know that the work of my daughter and other volunteers was helping save my life. I’m so proud.”

It could happen to anyone
Now that Patricia’s hemoglobin counts are stabilized, both Kristen and she say they are excited to spend more time together and work on further improving Patricia’s overall health. And while they’re hopeful additional blood transfusions won’t be necessary, they say they’re grateful the blood resources were available when they were needed most.

“Anybody can be touched by this, whether it’s a friend, a family member -- or even yourself,” Kirsten stresses. “So don’t wait until a crisis moment to realize how important it is to give blood. If you’re eligible, give now.”

Blood donor day is every day
As the Red Cross honors World Blood Donor Day, Stuart says she hopes her family’s story inspires more people to get involved and donate blood. “Blood donations are constantly needed to help save the lives of patients just like my mom, locally and nationwide.”

Join the life-saving blood donation effort
To schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.