Blood Donors Testimonials, World Blood Donor Day 2015

Alexandra Mojica - Panama

Hospital Luis Chico Fábrega

Alexandra feels that by donating a blood pint, she is saving the life of someone who deserves to live. The good action of donating blood, makes her feel enthusiasm without fear. Alexandra says that each one of us, at some point in our lives, have something to offer to help someone else who is in need, but that sometimes we are selfish and don't express it. 

Additionally, she emphasizes that as citizens and as people who do good, we should incentivize the population to share their experiences in order to foment a loving culture among us. We don't know when we will need a person with similar feelings and heart to ours. 

Alexandra concludes with the following message: "If I could keep donating regularly to save other lives, I would, because there needs to be a contribution in life. I encourage young people, like me, to give away something that is very useful (for life) through loving gestures to contribute for a better world."  

Juan Carlos Rodríguez M. - Panamá

Complejo Hospitalario Metropolitano

In 2008, Juan Carlos' mom suffered from a chronic pancreatitis which almost caused her death. At this time, she needed platelets and her son volunteered to donate them. Thanks to this gesture, she got better with time, and as gratitude gesture with god, Juan Carlos continued to donate platelets throughout the year, at least once a month.

Juan Carlos expresses that ever since, he has donated blood, and he really thinks that all the myths related to blood and platelets donation are false, as he has stayed healthy and has not gained weight. He believes the procedures used at the blood bank are safe and that's why every time he has to donate, he does it with will and confidence. 

Juan Carlos sends us the following message: "blood shouldn't be sold, because someday you will be thankful to have it available if needed."  

Mauricio Antonio Lopez Cabrera - El Salvador

On a regular Sunday, Mauricio decided to visit his dad for dinner when suddenly they got involved in a shooting. As he went out to protect his family, he received two shots, one in his leg and the second one on the left side, destroying his pancreas, colon and spleen.

Mauricio was under intensive care due to the big internal bleeding he experienced, he was in induced coma for a month, time when his life stopped. He had to undergo 14 surgeries, where more than 20 people showed solidarity and donated blood, supply that saved his life.

Mauricio says he is in debt with God and each donor for the rest of his life, and every time he has the chance, he thanks them for allowing him to be with his family again. He closes up with the following message: "I want to invite everyone to become voluntary donors to save hundreds of lived and unify families again, because with this gesture your gift to other is a second chance to live." 

José Luis Cardozo - Bolivia

Hospital Arco Iris

This is the  testimony of José Luis Cardozo whose little son underwent surgery on his leg and explains that the recovery process requires 6 blood packages, which he has not been able to get since he lives in a region where he has no family members or friends who could help him. He asks the population to voluntarily donate blood to people they don't know, but who are in need. 

Sister of the patient Deysi Aguilar - Bolivia

Hospital Arco Iris

The woman in the photograph tells the story of her sister Deysi Aguilar, who suffered from an accident, falling from a 400 meter-high precipice, breaking her ribs, femur and part of her nose. She thanks her family member, who donated a blood bag when her sister was undergoing surgery. Additionally, she emphasizes on the importance for people who have accidents or suffer from anemia, to be able to receive donations at the appropriate time. Finally, she encourages people to donate at least twice a year.  

Diego Jaramillo - Ecuador

In June, 2013, Mr. Diego got a colonoscopy done due to a strong stomach pain. In the test, a 5mm polyp was found in the large intestine and removed during a surgery, where he then had a small hemorrhage. Six months later, Mr. Diego had the same strong stomach pain so he was taken to the ER, where they conducted several tests that lasted a couple of days. His health was deteriorating noticeable until he experienced bleeding in the rectum. Right after, Mr. Jaramillo was sent to therapy where he lost large amounts of blood that turned into a hemorrhage which had originated at the large intestine. 

To save her husband's life, Mrs. Jaramillo had no choice but to buy 27 pints of blood, plasma and platelets at a large amount of American dollars. If the family didn't have the means to get the necessary blood supplies, perhaps Mr. Jaramillo wouldn't have lived to tell the story. 

Mr. Diego has shared this testimony for public and private institutions as well as local and international ones to keep working, promoting, encouraging, and raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donations to save lives. 

Mónica Duque - Representación OPS Ecuador

Monica Duque is an assistant for the HSS Project in PAHO's Representation in Ecuador and she is convinced that what you do for others, life gives you back. Additionally, she highlights that solidarity is a value that we should all have, thinking that is a simple action and assures that donating blood can save a life and that will always be our reward.

Her voluntary donation is often, and this is why when her mother fell and broke her hip, she was able to get the pints of blood from Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana right away when she needed them for surgery, an example of a reward we have for our altruistic actions.

Monica concludes with the following message: "we, as a team of the Representation, participate in all of the events that involve solidarity and more than that, we work setting example. I encourage people with good heart to donate blood often and voluntary, as you don't know when you'll need it." 

Euclides Ramírez - Panamá 

Hospital Santo Tomás

Euclides donates blood voluntarily because he knows he's helping to save someone else. 

He has donated several times and has not felt weakness or any other side effects.

Eugenio Álvarez - Bolivia 

Banco de Sangre El Alto

Eugenio Álvarez travels to El Banco de Sangre El Alto en La Paz, where he can get the blood supplies he needs for his wife, who has been hospitalized a few weeks. He explains how hard it has been to get blood supplies even though he has had family members and friends trying to help in various ways.

Eugenio says it is very hard to obtain blood supplies in remote areas. Thanks to Banco de Sangre El Alto, Eugenio was able to get the two blood bags his wife needs. He sends the following message: "I invite all of those who want to help saving lives, to come to Banco de Sangre El Alto and make a donation for those who really need it and don't have access to it. I ask all of you, as human beings, let's help each other."

Rubén - México

Rubén sólo tiene 11 años y muy valientemente compartió con nosotros su testimonio. Él cuenta que como nació antes de los 7 meses sus pulmones no se habían desarrollado completamente y debido a ello pasó mucho tiempo en el hospital recibiendo donaciones de sangre. Su madre tenía mucho temor a que falleciera pero gracias a las donaciones ha podido vivir. Rubén tiene un mensaje para todos "la sangre me ayudó, no sé de qué persona era la sangre, pero sólo quiero decir gracias por ayudarme a vivir".

Isaid Moises - Cuba

Isaid siempre ha sido una persona que ha necesitado de la donación de sangre y agradece encarecidamente a todas las personas que son donadores e invita a todos aquellos que puedan donar a que lo hagan, ya que existen muchas pacientes en los hospitales que necesitan recibir transfusiones. El finaliza este testimonio recalcando que la donación de sangre "ayuda a salvar vidas".