Woman wants survival story to inspire others to give blood
Janna Dutton knows how important the simple act of donating blood can be when a crisis occurs.
About three years ago, she urgently needed a transfusion after she had a miscarriage and began hemorrhaging badly.
“I was two hours away when it started and I had to get to the hospital,” she said. “By the time I got there my husband says I was green and I was on the floor and he thought he had actually lost me by that point.”
When she woke up later in hospital and found out she was going to be OK, all she can remember of those first few moments was the relief of knowing she wasn’t leaving behind those who rely on her, she said.
“It’s really a big relief — a big sigh washes over you.”
With Mother’s Day this weekend, Dutton is looking back at that day.
She hopes her story of survival will inspire others to donate blood so that if someone else ends up in the same situation they will be able to receive a transfusion and make it through, just as she did.
Although she has never recovered quite enough to donate blood herself, she hopes one day to be on the other end of the life-saving process.
When asked what she would say to the people who donated the blood that ended up saving her life, she replied in a voice filled with tears: “Thank you.”
If anyone feels hesitant or fearful about donating, she would be happy to sit with them and hold their hand, she said.
“It might be for you some day — or your children or your parents.”
By the time I gottheremy husband says I was green and I was on the floor and he thought he had actually lost me.