| |
|
|
| |
|
Who are you helping?
Have you ever thought about the lives you've saved through blood donations? Mississippi Blood Services is proud to share the stories of individuals whose lives have been forever changed thanks to blood donors.
If you, or someone you know, have received blood and would like to share your story, please contact Tony Bahou at (601) 368-2666 or abahou@msblood.com.
|
| |
 |
|
|  | Kadie Garner and Liz Carpenter
Magee, Miss.
Heart Transplants and Blood Recipients
"Thanks to blood donors, we believe in miracles."
Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Garner Carpenter, right, and Kadie Darlene Garner, left, have suffered from heart disease most of their lives. The sisters were diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as children and had to learn to live restricted lives as their condition worsened over the years.
As Liz says, “Sports were out of the question, stairs were difficult, fainting was optional and breathing was hard enough.”
In 2004, Liz received a heart transplant. She went from weighing 80 pounds, in a wheel chair and needing oxygen, to a healthy, vibrant woman within months. She is grateful to her donor family and to the blood donors who gave blood prior to her surgery.
“Mississippi Blood Services is a life-saving organization,” said Liz. “They have the tools and the means to get out there and provide people like Kadie and me with blood. It took a lot of work for Mississippi Blood Services to get the blood I needed the day I was called into the hospital,” continued Liz. “I got the call at 3:15 a.m. and Mississippi Blood Service was ready.”
As the two women have faced the challenges of their disease, they have found comfort and strength in each other. Kadie received a heart transplant in December 2005 and needed over 30 units of blood components.
“I do not know how much blood I received; I just know we are thankful we were able to receive such a beautiful gift,” said Liz. “I want to say a special thanks to all those who take time to donate blood and to my donor family, the Millers; you gave me such a wonderful gift – the gift of life.” To watch Kadie's Video Testimony click here.
Read More Testimonials
| | |
|
|
|
