Special guest at RI Blood Center walk

Dozens strolled through downtown Providence Sunday morning for the “Pints for Life” walk put on by the Rhode Island Blood Center.

They were raising awareness about the importance of donating blood. This year there was a special guest, Frankie Wainscott. He's been fighting an uphill battle since December when he had an aneurism. It was blood donations that saved his life.

He was once a normal nineteen year old going to college. Frankie Wainscott is now in a wheel chair and has a hard time talking.

“It has been horrifying,” said his mom June Wainscott, “When we got to the hospital they told me he wasn't going to make it through the night.”

Just six months ago, Frankie had an aneurism that nearly took his life. He was given a one percent chance of survival. His mom said since then he has made a lot of progress.

“He's amazing,” said June, “He can actually walk about 480 feet with a walker now, where they didn't think he was going to make it through the night.”

All that never could have happened without blood donations from the Rhode Island Blood Center.

“We think Frankie is a real inspiration,” said Rhode Island Blood Center's Frank Prosnitz, “He used a lot of blood products during his procedures, and this is why we're here for people like Frankie.”

At the “Pints for Life” walk dozens pledged their support to Frankie and gave their word to donate blood to people like him.

“I just want to thank everyone for coming out and donating blood and stuff,” said Frankie.

And showing him he could tackle another one of his goals, finishing the “Pints for Life” walk with plenty of energy left.

“It felt great,” he said, “It felt like I could knock something off my list to do.”

Frankie's mom expects him to make a full recovery. Another one of his goals is to become a physical therapist.