Lydia's First Blood Drive

[Lisa Goble]

So, my beautiful child was watching Oprah one day and saw a show about "giving back" to your community and decided after what she has been thru, She would like to donate blood. She realizes she would not be alive today if people wouldnt have taken time out of their busy lives to do this simple yet life saving act. (Lydia is 10 yrs old)

Obviously this cant fly...but what could is the idea of doing something great with your life/time. We contacted the Red Cross and together decided a great thing for Lyd to do would be to host a drive. It was on December 21, 2009...the week of CHRISTmas. It ran from 12-6. Since we were a first time gig, they could only staff us with minimal workers and left the advertising up to me. I advertised on Facebook, and put posters up at area businesses (didnt have her face for this drive...will use her face for upcoming one in February, just had printed in honor of Lydia Goble.)

We "sold out" the event!!! Together we saved 243 lives. What was so kool about it is that the majority of donors were "first time" donors OR people that havent given blood in the last 10-15 years. We had to turn people away at the end as we ran out of bags to collect the blood in. We made an impact and it felt great. It was alot of work...we did the food, advertising, messages, encouragement, and supplied all the manpower for this event with "our people". Ask anyone who was there that day, and they will tell you it made them feel AWESOME to do something for others...we totally gave the gift of life that monday, dec 21 and enjoyed EVERY single minute of it. Was it alot of work...Yes. Was it so very rewarding...heck YES!! Are we all gonna do it again...YES, February 23 is our next drive.

I wonder.... would we as a family ever have had the opportunity to make a difference in this way if our lives hadnt been touched by aHUS....would our friends have ever felt the need to give blood or the desire to help out in such a way? Dont get me wrong, we pray for a cure for this disease EVERYDAY (sometimes multiple times a day!) and wish that our family and yours had never heard of it....but, my child (tears in my eyes) has made such a huge difference in others lives because of this disease and I am so proud of her. =)

[Cheryl Biermann]

Totally awsome, what a Christmas gift you all have given people and their families! We are so proud of you, and very happy that it was such a positive experience...RC won't forget you!

[Linda Burke]

We're so proud of Lyd, of the wonderful example set by her faith-filled mother, and of all your terrific family and friends who so generously donated their time/talents/resources during a busy holiday season! Kudos and big hugs to you all...and to all the brave and beautiful aHUS kids and families who make the MOST of every day together!