In 1977, Jeff’s brother was born with Rh incompatibility. Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood but her baby has Rh-positive blood. Luckily, it is less common now thanks to medical advancements in prenatal care, but in 1977 it was a serious condition. Doctors told Jeff’s family that his brother needed an immediate blood transfusion. As Jeff mentioned when we sat down to talk with him, “a safe blood supply wasn’t always a guarantee in those days,” but luckily, the blood transfusion saved his brother’s life.
Jeff refers to his brother as his best and oldest friend. He told us that he is incredibly grateful that volunteers gave their blood to ensure a safe blood supply back in those days, and he wants to do what he can now to help someone else’s best friend, just like they helped his.
Blood is a precious, shared resource. It cannot be artificially manufactured or produced, and it’s something that truly binds our community together. Donors like Jeff–and you–are ensuring all patients in Central Texas receive the life-saving treatments they deserve.
We are so grateful to have Jeff as part of our family at We Are Blood, and we hope his story will inspire others to consider how blood donation impacts the overall health of our community. When you donate blood locally, you’re truly making a difference right here in your backyard.