Here I am, 6 months (yes, only six months!) pregnant with Patrick and Quinn... and that cutie patootie is Liam at four years old. I hadn't anticipated in that moment that my life would be turned upside down one month later.
On January 20, 2010 around midnight, what I thought was my water breaking was hemorrhaging and pre-mature labor, seven weeks pre-mature. Before the ambulance arrived, I had passed out twice and lost a lot of blood. This was not how I had imagined the birth of my twin boys.
Over the course of the next 12 hours, the medical staff at Albany Med got the bleeding to slow down, but my labor did not. At noon that day, Patrick and Quinn were born via c-section. By the grace of God, they were healthy, breathing on their own, and of good weight. I on the other hand, felt like a 18-wheeler had run me over.
As the boys were whisked off to the the NICU, my healing and recovery began and that included receiving two pints of blood. Knowing what I know now about the Red Cross providing 40% of the nations blood supply for mom's in childbirth, cancer patients, people needing emergency surgery, covid patient treatments, and more - I have a new found gratitude for the blood I received that day and bless the person who came to my aid.
Eleven years later and life is so good. And now I am so fortunate to be a member of the Red Cross team AND I get to help raise funds that enable the Red Cross to continue collecting lifesaving blood, to be there when home fires and disaster strikes, to ensure that our youth learn certified swim skills, to support our veterans and military families through life transitions, and so much more.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION TODAY! Your support means the world to me.
With deep gratitude,
Kate
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