Often, we don’t realize the importance of something until it affects us personally. Local mother Jill Pendergraft said that sentiment rings true for her.
On Tuesday from 2-7 p.m., Pendergraft is hosting a community blood drive at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (5664 KY 56). Now in its 10th year, the blood drive has become a way for her to help the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center (WKRBC) replenish its blood supply while reminding people what a life-saving gift blood donation can be.
Growing up, Pendergraft watched her father routinely give blood. He gave blood so often, he became the highest blood donor in western Kentucky.
“I didn’t really know any different than it was important to give blood to help people if we can,” she said. “I started giving off and on after high school, really because I liked getting free T-shirts. But like many things in life, we don’t realize the importance of it until it really hits home for us in a personal way.”
On January 1, 2014, Pendergraft hemorrhaged a few weeks after giving birth while running errands. She lost so much blood she eventually lost consciousness and ended up in ICU.
“Five days and six bags of blood later, and I was still barely able to walk to the bathroom without fainting,” she said. “Six bags of blood! There’s only about eight bags in a woman’s body, and I got six.”
After that incident, she realized that each of those bags represented someone who chose to be selfless with their time and comfort one day by donating blood.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be alive today,” Pendergraft said. “It could come down to you or a family member needing a blood transfusion to survive and then you realize the heroic act of someone who gave blood to provide that necessity.”
In 2019, the Pendergrafts adopted their third daughter. She was born 3 months early and spent 2-and-a-half months in the NICU. While she was there, Pendergraft’s daughter received a blood transfusion three different times because her body couldn’t reproduce red blood cells yet, and she needed a boost.
Pendergraft said she and her family are grateful for those who choose to be blood donors for the sake of people they will never know.
“This act of humility transcends any admiration or glory most heroes receive for saving a life,” she said. “But rather they slip in and out of the picture, many times unnoticed for how they helped.”
Pendergraft said for those interested in giving blood for the first time, drink plenty of water, eat something, and make sure you know any medications that you are taking before coming to the event. All of this will help make your blood donation go smoothly and quickly, she said.
“There will always be someone there to hold your hand if needed,” Pendergraft said. “I have stood by the donors at our blood drives each year when it’s been their first time to give or they are just uncomfortable and I held their hand, distracted their mind, or brought tasty refreshments. The ladies who work for the blood center are amazing and make the experience as comfortable as they can, even for someone who may have some reservations.”
