Blood Drive

I am sitting in the school gym, watching the last few members of the community donate life giving blood. What an amazing and powerful show of support for Simon and our family.

Bob has taken the kids home and I am waiting to help with the clean up. Before Simon went home, he watched the flow of people into the gym. He was very moved. To think that so many people care enough about him to make that gift. The teachers and parents who have never given blood, but because of Simon, they stepped up!

Simon's teacher from 4th grade gave blood for the first time. When we passed out aplastic anemia awareness ribbons to the school, she was talking to her class about the fact that she was going to be donating blood for the first time. She was a bit apprehensive, but was more than willing to do it for Simon. (One of her students made a comment about "If you survive the blood drive. . .) She still donated!

The special friend who is terrified of needles and all things medical. She is the one who organized the blood drive. I held her hand while she gladly made the sacrifice for Simon. (I thought she was going to break my hand, but she did it.) She put a side her own fears and made the sacrifice. When it was over, she said she would be willing to do it again.

I started this post a life time ago. Or at least it seems that way! The blood drive was after spring break, and now summer has come and almost gone. The kids will be back to school in less than 2 weeks!

I am so grateful to so many who gave so much. Giving blood is giving life and hope to someone in need. While Simon has only had 3 transfusions in the 6 months that we have been dealing with aplastic anemia, many suffers need transfusions weekly. Words fail to express the gratitude I feel.