What if you could save three lives in the next hour? On this World Blood Donor Day, we're all reminded that we can, indeed, save lives with a blood donation. In fact, according to the American Red Cross, you can save up to three lives with just one donation or one pint of blood. I caught up with supermodel Niki Taylor last week, who knows the life-saving power of blood donations all too well.
"In May 2001, I was in a one-car crash with a friend when our car slammed into a utility poll. I remember the impact of my body against the seat belt and my knees hitting the dashboard. There were no outside signs of injury, but I began having severe stomach pains," said Taylor. "The last thing remember is being in a fetal position off to the side of the car in the grass, thinking of my twins. I was in for the biggest fight of my life."
Taylor was swiftly taken to the nearby hospital in Atlanta where she had about a one in ten chance of survival after loosing 80% of her blood, she said. But thanks to the 100 units of blood she received, Taylor survived, waking up one month later from a coma to begin the long road to recovery.
"This experience changed my life. I never took anything for granted before, but this experience gave me the chance to live my life differently. It was a chance to give people hope and to help others," said Taylor, explaining that she first signed up to be a celebrity ambassador for the American Red Cross in 2007. "My story shows how important it is to give blood. You never know when your life might be in jeopardy, and you may need blood. It's my mission now to share this message with others."
To help get this message out in a big way and in honor of World Blood Donor Day, Taylor has teamed up with the American Red Cross and Nexcare Bandages as the national spokesperson for their third annual "give" program, a nationwide initiative that thanks blood donors and encourages others to give.
The campaign couldn't come at a better time, said Taylor, with blood donation levels tending to dip during the summer months.
"During the summer months there is a shortage, as people are going on vacations and it's hot. People are not really thinking about it. Many assume that there is already enough on shelves or that someone else will do it. But every two seconds someone needs blood, so it's important for people to continue to give, even during the summer."Not only will you get a cool bandage -- or a "badge of honor," as Taylor described it -- for donating during the campaign, Nexcare has vowed to donate $10,000 in the name of the top five people whose blood donation pledges have the most supporters on Facebook by July 31, 2011.