BUFFALO, N.Y. — When Nancy Chu isn't busy saving rescue dogs, she's busy helping to save lives by donating blood at ConnectLife.
She's a regular at the donation center, and her totals are pretty impressive, especially when you consider she's someone who used to be scared of needles! She's donated three gallons and one pint, and she has no plans of stopping any time soon.
Donating blood is far too important for her to quit.
"I'm type O. You can be a universal donor which means everyone can get your blood. They like O [blood]," laughs Chu.
Chu knows three people who are battling or previously battled leukemia, including her brother-in-law who just rang the bell at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center signaling remission.
She also knows you never know when you might need a blood transfusion.
"I was in a very bad car accident on November 15. I was at ECMC for two days, and I could very well have needed blood. I didn't, but I thought, it could be me or could be a member of my family," said Chu.
Mia Broderick's husband, Frank, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in September 2019, and part of his treatment included platelet transfusions almost every other day. Broderick recalls one unsettling day.
"When he needed a transfusion, the staff came over and said, 'There aren't any platelets. The bank is empty,'" said Broderick. "That was the moment I realized how important it is to donate, and I've been doing it since then."
Frank died on Christmas in 2019.
"When Frank died, so many people were nearby to say how can I help? I knew it would be something that I would say over and over. If you want to help, donate," said Broderick.
She, her brother, and niece donate platelets every other Saturday.
"I donate because something happened to me, but the heroes are the people who donate that have never had that moment. They do it because they know they're helping," said Broderick.