Pints for Preemies Blood Donation Challenge to be held through Nov. 17
10/12/2020
Stephanie Mingus, a Mayo Clinic nurse, always new the importance of blood donation, but this became more important when she and her daughter needed the precious gift of blood.
While pregnant with her second child, Ella, she began to have complications that required blood transfusions to save the pregnancy. After more complications due to chronic placental abruption, Stephanie when into early labor. Ella was born at 23 weeks, weighing only 1 pound, 3 ounces. Stephanie recalls the doctors saying Ella was so fragile that they didn't know if she would make it.
That was a scary realization to come to terms with.
During her 142-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ella required many blood transfusions, was incubated for over a month and needed oxygen for 9 months. Thankfully, Ella was able to come off oxygen in March.
"Ella had many ups and downs during her first few months of life, but we are happy to say she is a happy and healthy 1 year old," recalls Stephanie.
Ella's family saw firsthand the importance that blood products play in helping premature babies.
Pints for Preemies Blood Donation Challenge
In honor of World Prematurity Day, the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program will host the Annual Pints for Preemies Blood Donation Challenge. This year's goal is to bring in more lifesaving blood donations and raise awareness of World Prematurity Day on Nov. 17.
The challenge will run through Nov. 17. To participate, schedule your appointment by calling (507) 284-4475. Then simply check in at the front desk at the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center on the first floor of the Hilton Building. (Note that the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center in the Joseph Building on the Saint Marys Campus remains temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and low staffing.)
More information
For more information about donating blood, call the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center at (507) 284-4475 or email the center. Learn more on the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program webpage.