Pauline Steigerwalt

On Monday, I was in Orlando having a wonderful time swimming with dolphins and riding rollercoasters with my grandchildren. By Saturday, I was in intensive care and spent seven weeks in the hospital recovering from an unusual blood disorder called Thrombolic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (TTP). Amazingly, the treatment that saved my life came from nearly 800 caring people who generously donated the gift of their blood and plasma. I just never realized how important donating blood is because it can save the lives of family and friends within our community, including mine.