2 years later, blood donors get to meet 13-year-old boy they helped save

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2 years later, blood donors get to meet 13-year-old boy they helped save
By Michelle Basch | @MBaschWTOP
January 24, 2019 8:46 pm

When a Northern Virginia boy had a serious accident in 2017 involving a knife, more than 80 blood donors helped save his life. Now, some of those local donors got that rare opportunity to find out how their donations were used. See photos.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — What if, after you’ve donated blood, you could find out how it was used? ... Some local donors got that rare opportunity to meet the boy whose life they helped save. ... They were invited to a special meet-and-greet Wednesday night at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia, without being told who they would be meeting or anything about his ordeal. ... “This is the first time in over 54 years that we have done something like this,” said Terri Craddock, director of Inova Blood Donor Services.

Tate Reynolds was 11 years old in January 2017 when he was involved in a freak accident at his Purcellville home: He was unintentionally stabbed in his side with a steak knife. The 7- or 8-inch knife was plunged in so deep, only 2 inches were showing outside his body. ... “The world screeched to a stop on its axis when Tate looked at me and quietly whispered, ‘Mama, I am so sorry. Mama, my head hurts so bad, and I can’t feel my legs. Mama, I love you. Mama, I think I’m going to die,'” said Reynolds’ mother, Nicole Reynolds.

Tate Reynolds was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital, and in the end, he lost one of kidneys and part of his colon. His aorta was sliced in half. He also had damage to his liver and one of his legs. ... But, two years later, the 13-year-old is doing well. “He is OK. He is perfect. A little sassy, but perfect,” Reynolds’ mother said.
....

January is National Blood Donor Month; find information about Inova Blood Donor Services here.

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[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. What a wonderful story!

[rurallib]

2. Oh - If I may

I have been a regular donor for over 50 years. Part of that included giving white cells for people whose immune systems were not working for some reason.

In all those years I accidentally found out what happened twice.
In order to give white cells you have to get a shot that makes you sick (stimulates white cells) about 12 hours before the donation. As I was waiting for my shot in the floor lounge the family was having a party for their father. He was the recipient. He had come back from near death to the point if the donation the next day was good he was going home healthy.

I was talking to his daughter - I never identified myself. Told I was happy she shared her good news with me. What a wonderful chance I had to see how happy that family was.

The other time I gave white cells in the middle of the night for a newborn. The doctor paced at the end of my chair and as soon as the machine shut off, the doctor grabbed that bag and she took off running.

When I came in for my next appointment there was a gift basket for me with a little note that said "Our baby lived." Never could eat anything from that basket. My throat would always choke up.

All that to say it was quite mind blowing to find out you did save a life.

So I am getting all choked up thinking what wonderful thing those folks did. And what a incredible gift for that young man and his family - Think I will go cry a bit.