Versiti - Breanna Steele | Impact Stories
 

Breanna Steele

“If we don’t get blood, something bad could happen. Donating blood is doing something good for others.”

Breanna Steele

Sickle cell disease has been part of Breanna’s life since the day she was born. She spent her childhood in and out of the hospital, receiving medications and blood transfusions to help ease her symptoms, including severe pain in her knee.

But it wasn’t until June 2022 that Breanna had a real scare. After seeing a doctor for the pain in her knee, she wound up in the hospital, where she had a heart attack and stroke and was in a coma. “All I remember is that when I woke up, I couldn’t get up and I couldn’t write,” she says. “I don’t remember a lot of it.”

Now, she receives red blood cell exchanges every 6-8 weeks that help with her sickle cell disease, but also leave her feeling exhausted. She encourages others to donate blood and give hope to sickle cell patients like her. “It helps others, especially sickle cell patients,” she says. “If we don’t get blood, something bad could happen. Donating blood is doing something good for others.”


People need people, make a difference in someone’s life by donating blood.

We must rely on each other for the gift of blood, and patients in your community rely on the generosity of Versiti’s blood donors to help. Please consider scheduling an appointment to donate. If this is your first time, donating blood is quick, easy and relatively painless. And, it is a great way to give back and help patients in your community.

Impact Stories | Blood Donation

 
Mariah Roberts
Mariah is one of nearly 100,000 Americans who suffer from this life-threatening disease. Thanks to blood donors, she has a bright future ahead.
 
Marqus Valentine
Marqus Valentine is a co-founder of Sick Cells, a non-profit dedicated to improving the care and quality of life for people living with SCD. More information is available at SickCells.org.
 
Lena Harvey
Sickle cell warrior Lena Harvey knows firsthand how isolating, painful and debilitating sickle cell disease can be. That’s why she’s passionate about advocating for others.
 
Blood Donation FAQs
Read frequently asked questions involving donor eligibility, donation process, blood safety, platelet donation, plasma donation and more.
 
Importance of Diverse Donors
Diverse blood donations improve blood transfusion outcomes for sickle cell patients and diverse blood recipients. Make an appointment to donate blood.
 
Where to Donate Blood Near You
There are may options where you can make your blood, platelet, or plasma donation. Your donations provide hospitals in your community with precious blood products that patients desparately need.
 
Share Your Story
Versiti invites you to share your story and photo to help encourage more people to give back. You may even be featured throughout the year on our social media.