Emily Miethner, a Long Island blood recipient and mother, says that blood donation saved her life after experiencing two devastating post-partum hemorrhages following the birth of her 2-year-old son, Noah.
In partnership with New York Blood Center (NYBC), Emily recently shared her story with Long Island news reporter Stacey Sager of ABC7 New York, who visited the family at home as well as NYBC’s Rockville Center Donor Center. View the ABC7 story here:
Emily received 4 units of blood during her first hemorrhage and 19 units of blood during her second hemorrhage, adding up to 23 units of blood total, enough to replace her body’s entire blood volume – twice. Those units represent the generosity of multiple donors and the vital role NYBC plays in ensuring hospitals have immediate access to lifesaving blood when it matters most. This first-hand experience has made Emily a passionate advocate for blood donation, encouraging those around her to get involved. Emily marks her “alive day” every year and attributes her life to the selflessness of others who took an hour out of their day to donate blood.
Maternal postpartum hemorrhage is an often-undiscussed topic during expectant families’ prenatal care, yet according to the CDC, it accounts for more than 14% of pregnancy-related maternal deaths in the US and is often preventable. This is one of the most compelling reasons why it’s critical to have a stable and abundant blood supply and donor population.
Today, Emily is a thriving advocate, public speaker, business owner, entrepreneur, and artist. Now, she’s paying it forward by encouraging others to donate, and helping NYBC spread awareness about the ongoing need for blood donors. Best of all, Emily is expanding her family and expecting baby #2 in July!
See more of Emily’s story here: Help Shape Someone’s Tomorrow | Emily’s Alive Day Story | New York Blood Center – YouTube
In honor of Mother’s Day, please consider a unique lifesaving gift and make a blood donation in honor of Emily and Moms everywhere.