It’s Amazing What You Can Do While Saving a Life.
Why Donate Blood?
Here in the Central Valley, we don’t make excuses when it comes to people in need. We embrace the uniqueness of each person while working together to make it a home for all. A big part of that has been sharing our blood with local people who need it most, from accident and burn victims, to patients battling cancer or receiving organ transplants.
Plus, knowing your blood type and compatibility is key if you’re ever one of the 4.5 million Americans who receive a transfusion each year. And if you have Type O blood, your donation is vital because it is the type used most often during emergencies.
Gavin Reda,
Really Cool Kid
Life Saved
You Can Save a Life.
Every blood type is needed every minute of every day. And, if you’re one of the almost 7% of people who has O negative blood, it’s even more critical for you to donate. It can save the lives of premature babies whose blood type is yet to be known, trauma patients with unidentified blood types, and pregnant women who are hemorrhaging during childbirth.
Dustin Hall,
CAL Fire/Fresno County
Fire Chief
Donor
Go Ahead, Be a Hero.
There are special components in your blood that are proven lifesavers. Platelets, the tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding, are most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Plasma is commonly given to trauma, burn and shock patients, as well as people with severe liver disease or multiple clotting factor deficiencies. In each, an automated process separates these vitally needed components and then safely returns your red blood cells to you.
Kayla Ferreira,
Fresno State Bulldog
Donor
Profiles in Heroism
A PLATELET DONOR WITH A LOFTY GOAL.
Ashley Eastman would often accompany her mother to the Central California Blood Center to give blood before she was old enough to donate. It is no surprise that she then began donating regularly at the age of 18. She donated the first time during a work blood drive and has continued to donate whole blood regularly even when she moved out of the area for college.
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As a frequent donor, Ashley then learned about the great impact that donating platelets can have on our community. Nearly 50% of platelets donated in the Central Valley go to cancer patients.
According to Ashley, it is not hard to stay motivated knowing that the simple act of donating has the potential to save multiple lives, “I’ve also developed a personal goal,” she says, “to donate 1,000 times in my lifetime”. She is well on her way with over 120 platelet donations to her name. Ashley also documents her donation journey by posting selfies with the hashtag “#journeytoathouusanddonations.” She documents her donations to inspire others and to educate the public on the importance of donating. She always looks forward to her appointments and saving local lives.
Ashley Eastman,
Aiming to Make
1,000 Donations
FINDING MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SAVE LIVES.
Jason Moule is a Firefighter for the Tulare County Fire Department. He is dedicated to saving lives through his occupation and also the selfless act of giving blood. The first time Jason donated was when he was in the firefighter academy during CCBC’s South Valley Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in 2003.
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Soon after his first donation, Jason received his post “first-time donation” letter stating that his blood type was O-. He spoke with a Central California Blood Center representative about the importance of having Type O- blood and was amazed, “I was blown away by how little effort it took me to go in and donate and how impactful it could be to others!” Jason has since started donating as often as he can soon to reach his 50th donation.
Jason is also actively involved in raising awareness for blood donations. He has arranged multiple blood drives at fire stations throughout the years and has made many lifelong friends in the spirit of saving local lives.
Jason Moule,
Tulare County Fire Capt.
O-Negative Donor
