Sarah Graff began her nursing career at Ascension Seton Medical Center. She had a deep connection to her work, caring for oncology patients, specifically those battling leukemia and lymphoma. Just eight months into her role, Sarah started experiencing symptoms and knew in her gut that she needed to be seen by a doctor. Her intuition was right – Sarah was diagnosed with leukemia.
Faced with this life-altering news, Sarah made a powerful decision: she chose to be admitted to the very department in which she worked. She wanted to be surrounded by the colleagues she trusted and the environment she knew. Throughout her treatment, Sarah received unwavering support from her medical team. Her fellow staff and colleagues quickly became friends and family. And We Are Blood donors, whose donations played a crucial role in her survival, became her heroes.
Sarah’s mother, Stacy Graff, watched in fear and awe as her daughter fought for her life. She came to realize just how vital blood donations are for patients like Sarah. This experience inspired Stacy to give back by becoming a blood donor herself. Her newfound commitment to donating blood stemmed from a profound appreciation for the strangers whose donations helped save her daughter’s life. And Stacy wasn’t the only one who felt inspired. Fellow churchgoers and family friends began organizing community blood drives in response to the Graff family’s journey.
Today, Sarah is not only a leukemia survivor but also continues her work as an oncology nurse. Her experience from nurse to patient and back again has given her a unique perspective and deep gratitude. She knows firsthand the lifesaving impact that blood and platelet donations can have, and she is determined to give back to her patients in every way she can.
Sarah’s return to the hospital, not just as a nurse but as a survivor, is a testament to the power of community and the gift of life that We Are Blood donors provide to patients across Central Texas.