Donate for Mothers
A program to honor and celebrate the diverse experiences of moms through the act of blood donation.
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Donate for Mothers is Vitalant’s blood drive program that honors the diverse experiences of moms through the act of blood donation. It is a special call to action to inspire and empower members of the community to host a blood drive or donate blood in honor of a mom in their life.
Blood transfusions help patients in need, and they are especially critical for women who experience pregnancy-related complications. In fact, 1 in 83 mothers need a blood transfusion after giving birth. Every day, Vitalant needs to collect about 5,300 blood, platelet and plasma donations, delivering lifesaving blood products to patients in hospitals coast-to-coast.
Donate for Mothers blood drives can be organized by groups or individuals, any time throughout the year. They can be customized by the blood drive coordinator to honor a mom’s individual experience, with celebrations of life or maternal health awareness and advocacy, in personal ways that heal, inspire and bring joy to those participating.
Mothers have a vital role in life, and blood donors do too. Schedule a blood donation or host a blood drive in honor of mothers, and you can help vulnerable patients--and moms--who depend on blood transfusions.
We currently have Donate for Mothers blood drives in Colorado and California. Click the buttons below for more information about those drives.
CLICK HERE to find a donation opportunity near you. If you are interested in hosting a Donate for Mothers blood drive in your state, please click on the "Host a Blood Drive" button at the top of this page.
Shortly after giving birth to her daughter Agatha, Kate experienced a complete uterine inversion and started losing blood very quickly. She was rushed to the OR where she underwent two surgeries, resulting in the need for 14 units of blood and blood products.
Kate has had a long road to recovery, but she is grateful for those who gave blood so she could take care of her beautiful daughter.
“As a donor you’ll likely never know the impact of what you’re doing, but never doubt that you are actually saving someone’s life,” Kate said. “It makes a bigger difference than you can ever imagine to someone you’ll never meet.”
Trish was scheduled to deliver her daughter, Dobry, via cesarean hysterectomy, and she knew that the surgery following her delivery would be challenging, but nothing prepared her for what was to come. Trish lost 27 liters of blood in the operating room and needed 52 units of blood to survive. Her journey to recovery was long, consisting of eight surgeries and an additional 12 units of blood.
“Each day, I reflect in appreciation over the many, many people who sat in a chair and gave selflessly from their physical body, in order to save my life,” Trish said. “I wish that I could meet them, and personally thank them for their effort. I wish I could introduce them to my husband and kids and let them see tangible evidence that their time and effort matter, and that because of them, I get to see my kids grow up.”
Dobry is now 2 years old, and Trish is donating blood again. She says it’s her goal to personally replenish the 64 units she received. “I feel so humbled and so lucky to be alive and to be able to raise my kids and to have my family.”
When you give blood, you could help a new mom experiencing complications after childbirth go home to her baby. Blood transfusions can be especially critical for women who experience emergencies during pregnancy.
A total of 48 units of blood and multiple plasma transfusions helped save Nicole's life when she experienced an amniotic fluid embolism while giving birth to her third child, Haxton.
“I wish I could tell my donors that I am grateful for their donation not only because it saved my life, but it gave me a chance to meet my son and helped make sure my children didn’t grow up without a mom,” Nicole said.
As a recipient of blood donation due to placenta accreta, I know firsthand the importance of a strong medical team, good communication, and blood donation. You are true heroes to myself and the accreta moms I represent. I hope we can inspire you to continue doing your amazing work & encourage you to join us with Donate for Mothers, in bringing about awareness to obstetric complications and the importance of blood donations. Thank you for all you do.
Kate McMeekin
Co-founder of the Colorado Accreta Survivors