Virtual Blood Drive

My name is Harper Skaare, and I am a nursing student who has witnessed firsthand the extraordinary impact that blood donors have on the lives of patients and their families. For 17 months, my grandmother, Vicki, courageously battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Throughout her journey, she depended on countless blood and platelet transfusions. Each donation represented the generosity of someone she would never meet—someone who took the time to give a part of themselves so that she could continue receiving the treatments she needed. Because of those donors, we were blessed with more time, more conversations, more laughter, and more memories with someone we love deeply. As I pursue my dream of working in healthcare, her experience has given me a profound appreciation for the vital role blood donation plays in patient care. Those of us called to serve on the front lines of healthcare witness every day how a single donation can support a cancer patient during treatment, help a trauma victim survive a life-threatening injury, or sustain someone facing a serious illness. Blood cannot be manufactured—it can only come from generous donors willing to help others. I am hosting this virtual blood drive in memory of my grandmother and in honor of the countless donors whose gifts sustained her throughout her battle with AML. Their generosity gave our family precious time, and I hope to help provide that same gift to others. On July 23, I will also be volunteering at Sakakawea Medical Center in Hazen during the Memorial Blood Drive created to honor both my grandmother and the donors who helped carry her through her journey. It is a small way to express my gratitude for the gift they gave our family. My grandma inspired me every day. She believed in me as I began pursuing a career in nursing, and her strength, faith, and determination continue to motivate me. Through this blood drive, I hope to honor her memory while helping ensure that lifesaving blood products are available for the patients and families who need them most. If you are unable to donate at the Memorial Blood Drive in Hazen, please know that you can still honor my grandma's memory and help me reach my goal by donating at any blood drive in your area. Simply enter the promo code GiveLove-8059-H when scheduling your appointment, or contact Vitalant within 14 days after your donation to have the code applied. Every donation made through this drive not only helps save lives, but also supports me as I continue my nursing education and prepare for a career dedicated to caring for others. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for considering a donation. Whether you give blood, share this drive with others, or keep our family in your prayers, your support means more than I can express. Your gift may be given to someone you never meet, but it will provide hope, healing, and precious time for patients and families facing some of life's most difficult moments—just as it did for ours.