MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- News 13 teamed up with the American Red Cross Thursday to host blood drives at Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach and Magnolia Mall in Florence.
According to Red Cross representatives, blood donations are urgently needed now and throughout the winter to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients in need.
We spoke to one couple who knows first hand the importance of donating.
“Life is pretty darn good when we don’t have any bumps in the road,” said Sondra Hutchins
That bump came in January 2015.
“We started getting the diagnosis and we knew,” she said.
Sondra’s husband Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
“Anybody that had cancer that I knew, nobody ever survives,” stated Bill.
Still, he made a pact with Sondra that he wasn’t going to give up. Bill immediately started chemotherapy.
“Chemo is wonderful because it does kill cancer cells, but it kills all the good stuff to,” explained Sondra.
Bill said he felt really tired during treatment. During that time, he received three blood transfusions.
“It was like getting a shot of energy,” he described. “I felt like going outside and working.”
Sondra said the blood gave Bill the energy he needed to keep going, to keep fighting. Eight months later, Bill found out he was cancer free.
A combination of prayer, doctors, the community and blood.
“It’s the gift that costs nothing, you can give the gift of life in an hour,” said Red Cross Associate Representative Meggin Heath.
Sondra told News 13 she now donates regularly.
“I’m due to give this month and so i’m just waiting for the due date,” she stated.
Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
CLICK HERE for upcoming blood donation opportunities, Feb. 1-15.
