A Grand Island resident shared her story with NTV News, telling us how blood transfusions are helping save her life. She has received multiple units of blood in the last year as she battles cancer.
Angela Brandt, 49, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia on Aug. 23th, 2021.
“Since then, I have been in the hospital so often,” Brandt said. “Since I was diagnosed, I have been in the hospital for about 9 months. That’s a significant number.”
Brandt said that in December 2021, she was feeling terrible and needed to receive multiple blood transfusions.
“I didn’t even know how bad I felt until after I started getting transfusions and started feeling stronger and better,” Brandt added.
So far, she has received more than 60 units of blood.
“If I wouldn’t have had them, I wouldn’t be here today,” Brandt said. “It’s very meaningful, I used to donate blood, and after I was diagnosed, I obviously can’t donate blood any longer. It’s a very important thing, and I so appreciate those donors. We have a nationwide shortage of blood and with such a shortage, some people might not get the blood that they desperately need.”
Brandt said she will soon have a bone marrow transplant. After the transplant she will need dozens of blood transfusions again.
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