Donor Stories

Without the generosity and dedication of our donors, we would not be able to aid in mantaining a stable blood supply for hospitals and those in critical need of blood. Our donors are our heros! Here are just some of their stories.

From your community
Shelley, Angela, and Caitlyn Kiera's "life-saving blood drop" Mikey getting tested to be a possible bone marrow match! Don Bryant- 1st 100 Gallon Donor Mickaela giving with her mother Lila with her son Chris

Birthday Girls! Shelley Brummett, Angela Franklin, and Caitlyn Greemon came into LifeShare this October on their lunch break to give blood. We made sure they brought plenty of snacks and drinks back to the office with them! All three co-workers have birthdays in October and thought a fun way to celebrate would be to give blood together. We can't think of a nicer birthday gift than giving back to the community. 

Kiera's Story Kiera Smith, senior at Junction City High School, submitted a canvas for display at the new El Dorado, Ark. location for Lifeshare Blood Centers. A contest was held among select high school students in the area to depict their interpretation of a life-saving blood drop. Smith says her idea began with the theme “Faces of Life.” She and many of her friends are blood donors, which gave her the inspiration to include pictures of her friends in the illustrated blood “drop.”

When Smith stopped by the open house to see her canvas on the wall, she immediately signed up to donate again. Her words to other high school students, “If you want to do something good this would be a great way to help people out,” and her mother, Carrie-Anne Smith adds, “and it doesn’t cost a thing.”

Mikey's Story Mikey Olds is a student at Shreveport Job Corps who signed up earlier this year for our Be The Match registry. The registry matches potential marrow donors with possible recipients. Mikey never thought after submitting a simple mouth swab, he'd get a callback asking him to give a blood sample that would be tested as a possible match for a bone marrow recipient. Mikey is one of the few people who might be a match for a recipient! If anyone wants more information on how to participate in this program, please visit the Marrow Donation Registry web page. Becoming part of the registry is only a cheek swab away!

Don's Story Don Bryant is LifeShare’s first 100-gallon donor. Bryant began donating at 17-years-old alongside his stepfather. In addition to donating, Bryant spends a significant amount of his time volunteering at blood drives and encouraging others to give.

 

When asked what he would tell others who are considering giving blood, Bryant says, “Well, the biggest thing is just to save lives. It’s going to always be a need and there’s always a shortage. Anybody who lives in this culture can see what one gunshot wound can take or one car accident, there’s never enough of it.” We know that one donation can save up to three lives. With more than 800 donations, Mr. Bryant potentially has saved the lives of 2,400 people.

Like Mother, like Daughter! Mickaela Boudreaux, a 17-year-old high school student and cheerleader, is also a regular blood donor. She and her mother regularly give plasma and platelets together at LifeShare Blood Centers’ Monroe location. Boudreaux says the reason she gives blood, “I feel really blessed that I have a healthy body and I come from a healthy family; and I love the opportunity to help other people so they can prosper in their lives.”

Lila's story When Lila found out that her son Chris was born with hemophilia, she and her husband- neither of whom had been regular blood donors- became regular fixtures at the blood bank. Chris required a lot of ‘cryo’ to stop not only external scrapes and cuts, but internal bleeding from bruises and joint bleeds. To help replenish the blood supply, they made it a point to donate every 8 weeks and encourage their friends and co-workers to do the same.

"Chris died in a vehicle accident in 2003, but we have continued to donate blood regularly and plan to do so as long as we possibly can. The need is so great and we are committed to do our part to help others live."

Do you want to tell others why you give blood?

Or maybe you want to tell what it meant to you when blood was available when you needed it.

Submit your story here.