Rick and Ruthann Laman had always been active. When Rick started slowing down and sleeping more, it was easy to excuse it as a normal part of aging. Ruthann quips with a laugh, “I think our friends kind of noticed it more. I was just like, ‘Oh, we’re getting old.'”
Things changed when Rick found himself out of breath while making the bed. He consulted his doctor and was advised to go to St. David’s emergency room immediately. There, he learned of his rare diagnosis.
A 1 in 3,000,000 diagnosis
Rick was diagnosed with Pure Red Cell Aplasia, a rare blood disorder impacting the bone marrow’s ability to produce hemoglobin-the part of red blood cells carrying oxygen. Fewer than 100 people in the U.S. currently have the condition, of which symptoms include fatigue and paleness due to anemia.
Rick’s treatment plan includes frequent blood transfusions. He shares that he has received over 30 units of blood from Central Texas donors in the past six months. Throughout his treatment, he has been able to see the impact of our local blood and platelet donors, encountering people of all ages receiving transfusions. He shares:
“When I go to my transfusions and my lab visits… I see who is out there benefiting from it. It’s the entire city.”
We Are Blood donors supply the blood and platelets used in hospitals and on emergency services vehicles across Central Texas. These blood products have diverse applications and a large impact on the community. For the Lamans, blood donations from We Are Blood donors help manage Rick’s condition. Ruthann shares, “He is one in a million plus, but I sure appreciate [the donors] and want to keep him around for a long time.”