Give for Texans – Michelle’s Story
“It saved both mine and my child’s lives”
Whole blood and platelet donors are lifesavers. Michelle Pointer of West, Texas recalls when Carter BloodCare donors helped her through two health emergencies:
“I was 18 when I had my first child, with multiple complications during pregnancy. I was having eclampsia and seizures at the 30-week mark and delivered my son by emergency C-section at 30 weeks and five days.
At just 2 pounds, my newborn child had to receive a blood transfusion as his little body just didn’t have enough.
Two months after giving birth, I went for routine labs; that afternoon, I got a call to go to the hospital immediately. My platelet count was at 10,000, though it was supposed to be between 150,000 and 300,000. That is when I received my first platelet transfusion.
They ran multiple tests and bone marrow biopsies. My platelets were still low and I received another platelet transfusion. In the end, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus and thrombocytopenia.
I am so very grateful for those of you who donate not only platelets, but whole blood as well. It saved both mine and my child’s lives.”
Help local patients by becoming a Carter BloodCare blood donor. Take the first step to save lives and call Carter BloodCare at 800-366-2834.