National Blood Donor Month
By: Melissa Randall
Twitter: @MelissaARandall
Jennifer Henshall is the proud mother of two beautiful young daughters. Looking at them reminds her of the importance of blood donations. Both 4–year–old Clara and 2–year–old Elyse were born with a genetic condition called NAIT.
“It's a condition where my body used their platelets as a virus attacks them,” Jennifer Henshall of North Providence.
Mom and daughters would all need transfusions. Today they are all healthy, happy, and giving back. On Monday Henshall teamed up with the Rhode Island Blood Center and Dunkin Donuts to help raise awareness.
Throughout the month of January everyone who donates a pint of blood will receive a coupon valid for a pound of Dunkin Donuts coffee.
January has been dubbed national blood donor month. It helps assure safe levels of blood during the winter when the need is usually high, and the number of donations tends to dip due in large part to bad weather.
“We hold up to 16 blood drives a day so when schools are canceled we don't hold those drives. When businesses close we don't hold those blood drives,” said Frank Prosnitz of the RI Blood Center.
Like many people Henshall never thought she would be on the receiving end, but is forever thankful for those who helped save her daughters.
“Thank you I don't think is enough but realize you are making a difference in the lives of other people,” said Henshall.
Blood drives are held through out the state each day, or you can stop by donor centers anytime in cities including providence, Warwick, and Woonsocket.
© WLNE-TV 2013
