A Unique Thanksgiving Gift…..
It’s a little overwhelming to walk into the NICU at the Main House right now. With five fragile preemies and only two incubators, there are CPAT machines crowding sitting space, various tubes running across the floor in every direction and babies taking shifts in and out of incubators. Keeping them all stable has been a full time job for our nurses. Somehow God keeps sending them to our door, and He keeps providing for us to care for them. We are fortunate to have a pediatric nurse from Australia volunteering with us for a month. Katie has been helping in the NICU in the afternoons, and was very kind to pull a night shift for a night nurse who was going to be late for her shift last night.
On a visit to the NICU this morning Susan asked me to inquire of the volunteers if anyone was an O negative blood type, which can be universally donated, for one of our more critical babies. She told me “It’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try.”
According to the American Red Cross “Only about 7% of all people have Type O negative blood. Type O negative blood is the preferred type for accident victims and babies needing exchange transfusions. There is always a need for Type O donors because their blood my be transfused to a person of any blood type in an emergency.” 7%, that did sound like a bit of a long shot.
As it turns out, Rachel, one of our volunteers who has been at GLA for a couple of months now, has type O Negative blood. When I asked her if she would be willing to give some blood, she was excited to be able to help in a unique way. Susan drew her blood, and in the afternoon transferred it to a very small baby. He responded beautifully to the transfusion.
So as we prepared to set the table and defrost the turkeys this Thanksgiving Thursday, it’s unbelievable the amount we at GLA have to be thankful for. Thankful that God is faithful to provide in every circumstance, that He knows exactly who He has placed in our paths, and just how they will be used. I am thankful to have shared Thanksgiving with these amazing people. I hope that you too have an abundant amount to be thankful for!
Want to make a difference for the kids in Haiti? Consider donating.
Nov 25, 2011 @ 12:19:04
That was no long shot, with God it was expected
Soo cool.
Nov 25, 2011 @ 12:28:37
Thank you Rachel. God uses people in the most unique and random ways!
Dec 20, 2011 @ 12:56:45
I am not surprised that Rachel would have given blood. My wife worked with her at the orphanage for 10 days and she was an absolute pleasure to be with. She is just another angel doing GOD’s work here on earth.