Give for Texans – Jacob’s Story

Donating memories and forever smiles

When her son Jacob complained of persistent knee pain, Latorra Garland scheduled a medical checkup. It was the beginning of an unexpected and difficult journey, as Latorra explained:

“After several tests and biopsies, Jacob was diagnosed with progressive bone cancer. Jacob was a healthy 13-year-old with little to no health issues. We were lost and devastated with the news.

Jacob’s cancer treatment began within days of his diagnosis. Immediately upon completion of his first round of chemotherapy, Jacob began to have respiratory distress and other life-threatening health complications and was rushed to intensive care.

We were asked to consent to a blood transfusion. Jacob received multiple blood transfusions in the ICU. After several days, Jacob was breathing on his own and healthy enough to return to the regular floor.

If we had not received blood transfusions during Jacob’s stay, we could have lost him within days of his initial diagnosis.

Jacob began more rounds of chemotherapy and continued to need blood transfusions throughout his treatment. Every transfusion gave us another day to make memories and spend more time with him.

Unfortunately, Jacob’s journey ended just 77 days after his diagnosis.

I am so grateful blood products were available for us to have more days with Jacob. We were able to spend every day together and make memories that can never be replaced. We were able to capture his last days of beautiful smiles which we will hold on to forever.

I will always be an advocate for blood donations and will donate blood as long as I am able. I want to help those who need it most.

We are so thankful for the extra time we were given with Jacob. Because of blood donations, I was able to have hope and make memories with my son and capture his forever smile.

Jacob never gave up and neither will I.”

Donate at a Carter BloodCare donor center or mobile blood drive to help local patients.

If you have ever received blood or platelets, your transfusion experience can motivate others to donate. Please Tell Us Your Story.