Another day cannot be lost without sending a special "Thank You Lynn" to the nurse who in her own way, saves the life of so many people by keeping us healthy. I am just another person like you; with the desire to help in any way I can and am willing to share freely the gift of life.
My best friend and life partner had to learn our way through uncharted territory with a rare blood disease, PNH. A fundraiser led me to a blood drive at TMMC because of a person in constant need a lot of blood. I was not compatible at first, but after years of questions, efforts, and desires Lynn helped me to learn and understand the Directed Donor Program. With the assistance of her supervisor, a plan was put in place where I could donate as needed up to one unit every three weeks to replace my Love's losses of blood. For 15 years she has accepted 2 units every 6 weeks to stay alive. We want the freshest for her so it will last the longest and within 3 days the donated blood product has been ready to go without fail. My part is to donate 2 units every 6 weeks. Lynn has spent so much time getting to know me, reading my vitals, looking beyond the normal and into the very different. She knows when enough is enough. After I was deferred from donating due to low hemoglobin she insisted I see my doctor before trying again. Thank goodness. My ferritin level was off the charts low. There is no book to teach donors how to give so much, or I must have missed it, but not Lynn. She really knows what she is doing!
Because Lynn was so concerned for my health she stood her ground insisting I take care of myself before trying to give again. My doctor has assisted getting me on track with a Ferrous Sulfate supplement that has really seemed to do the trick. Now I have to eat liver too but it's not so bad.
I feel Lynn makes us feel important and considers a donor her patient. She is saving our lives one gift at a time. Thank you, thank you, Lynn Ruffin!