When Nick Chen moved to Austin in 2020, he brought with him more than just a passion for learning – he brought a deep commitment to giving back. His journey as a blood donor began in 2013 while living in Taiwan, where he regularly donated whole blood. After relocating to Austin for school, Nick quickly sought out a way to continue making an impact.
“I came in for the first time in 2021,” Nick recalls. “About six months after I moved here, someone talked to me about platelet donation, and I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve heard of that.’”
Intrigued by the process, Nick did some research and decided to make the switch to donating platelets. By early 2022, he was a regular platelet donor at We Are Blood.
Compared to a standard blood donation, giving platelets takes a little more time – usually a couple of hours. But for Nick, the impact far outweighs the commitment. “I think compared to the impact you can make for those patients, those two hours are nothing,” he explains. “It really gives them hope – the hope that someone in this community is helping them get through something very unfortunate in their recovery journey.”
Platelets are a vital component of cancer treatments, surgeries, and trauma care. For patients battling illness, they’re often the key to survival. Nick understands just how essential these donations can be, and he sees his role as more than just a donor – he’s part of a support system for people facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
“Sometimes it’s about showing people that they’re not going through this alone,” he says. “It’s knowing there’s a community helping them. That’s a great thing about donating.”
Nick’s story reminds us that hope often comes in the form of small acts of generosity. For patients and their families, a platelet donation isn’t just a medical resource – it’s a sign that someone cares.
If you’re inspired by Nick’s story, consider joining him in making a life-saving impact. Platelet donations are always in high demand, and there’s no better time to start than today!