Pamela Barnett is on a mission.
She is committed to donating 10 units of blood in honor of her late husband, Thomas Barnett, who passed away in July 2022. Pamela says Tom was a blood donor for many years, until he was diagnosed with a type of cancer and was no longer eligible to give blood. Years later, Tom was diagnosed with abdominal soft tissue sarcoma and required blood products while receiving chemotherapy treatment.
“Tom needed at least ten units of blood in late August and early September 2021,” said Pamela. “That’s why I set an initial goal of ten donations.”
So far, Pamela has given seven units.
Blood transfusions can provide cancer patients relief from some symptoms and improve their quality of life. Cancer patients use nearly ¼ of the blood supply, more than patients fighting any other disease.
As a former nurse at a high school in Merrillville, Indiana, Pamela was involved in blood drives at the school for many years. Her first blood donation was in 2022, inspired by Tom’s courageous battle and her desire to help patients in need.
“Tom had 10 more months that meant so much to us, as a result of receiving lifesaving blood products,” said Pamela. “I hope that my very small donation might be a large part of saving someone else’s life.”
Pamela says giving blood is an easy and efficient process. A blood donation appointment takes about an hour from start to finish, but the actual donation itself only takes about eight to 10 minutes.
“I would say to anyone who is eligible: do it. You may never know who received your blood, but you could help save or prolong a life,” said Pamela.
Schedule a blood donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Your generous blood donation can help ensure cancer patients, news parents, premature babies, accident victims and more have access to lifesaving blood.
Written by Janie Bohlmann, regional communications manager.