We’ve all heard it: "Give blood, save lives." But sometimes, it takes a personal story to really hit home. This is the story of Emily Jackson - a woman who not only had her life saved by donated blood but who now donates regularly, becoming a living example of how one person can make a huge difference.

A few years ago, Emily was living the life many of us know all too well - busy with work, family, and trying to squeeze in a little self-care when she could. Everything changed one day when she experienced severe fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. At first, she brushed it off, blaming the usual suspects: stress, maybe too much coffee, or not enough sleep.

But it wasn’t just stress. It was something much more dangerous.

Emily ended up in the emergency room that night, diagnosed with internal bleeding caused by a previously undetected condition. Her red blood cell count had plummeted, and she needed blood - fast.

Within minutes, doctors administered several units of donated blood, giving her body the boost it desperately needed to recover. In Emily’s own words, “I didn’t realize how serious it was until the doctor told me (in his own way), ‘Without that blood, you wouldn’t be here.’ It really hit me then - someone out there gave me a chance to live.”

Recovering from such a major health scare wasn’t easy. Emily had to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of gratitude, fear, and relief that followed her hospitalization.

But one thing stuck with her: the knowledge that complete strangers had saved her life through the simple act of giving blood.

“It blew my mind,” she says. “I’d never donated blood before. I always thought it was something other people did or that it wasn’t a big deal. But being on the receiving end changed everything. I knew I had to give back.”

A few months after her recovery, Emily walked into her first American Red Cross blood drive. That first donation wasn’t easy. “I was nervous,” she admits, laughing. “I hate needles - I’m not one of those brave people who just rolls up their sleeve like it’s nothing. But I kept thinking about how someone sat in this same chair and saved my life. That’s what got me through it.”

Now, Emily donates blood every 56 days - the maximum amount allowed for whole blood donations. She’s become a regular at her local blood drives and even encourages her friends and family to donate alongside her.

Emily’s story is a powerful reminder of how critical blood donations are. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Whether it's for surgeries, cancer treatments, or traumatic injuries, the need is constant.

And yet, only 3% of eligible donors give blood each year.

That gap is what makes people like Emily so important - not just as a donor but as someone who helps raise awareness about the need for more donors.

“I used to think blood drives were just for emergencies,” Emily says. “But now I know that the need is all the time. Blood has a shelf life - it doesn’t last forever, and there’s no substitute for it. It feels good to know that I’m helping keep the supply going for someone else who might be in the same situation I was in.”

And it’s not just about whole blood. Emily’s type, O-negative, makes her a universal donor - her blood can be given to anyone, regardless of their blood type. That’s a big deal for emergency situations when doctors don’t have time to type and cross-match blood before transfusions.

“It feels like I’m doing something bigger than myself,” she says. “Like, maybe the next time someone is in that hospital bed, they won’t have to worry. The blood they need will be there.”

Emily’s story is just one example of how a simple blood donation can save a life - and spark a lifelong commitment to giving back. Donating blood might seem like a small thing, but the impact is enormous. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular like Emily, every pint you give makes a difference.

“I never thought I’d be a blood donor,” she says. “But after what I went through, I can’t imagine not doing it. It’s one of the easiest ways to help someone, and you never know whose life you might be saving.”

So, what’s stopping you from rolling up your sleeve?

Whether you’re motivated by a personal story like Emily’s or simply want to give back to your community, donating blood is a powerful way to make a difference. It doesn’t take long, and you’ll walk away knowing that you’ve potentially saved a life.

And who knows? Maybe, like Emily, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again.

The American Red Cross is always in need of blood donors. Visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive near you, learn about eligibility, and schedule your donation today. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it could save a life - just like it saved Emily’s.