Matt Winker was working on his farm in Belgium, Wis., when an accident nearly took his life. His body got caught in a hay baler, and he suffered severe injuries to his lungs, ribs and arm.

“They say your life flashes before your eyes. They are not kidding,” says Matt.

Matt was airlifted to the hospital where he had several surgeries and was in an induced coma for 19 days. He needed 30 units of blood to stay alive.

After a long recovery, Matt is back at work on his dairy farm, grateful to be doing what he loves.

“Donors gave me a second chance at life. I want to thank everybody for donating blood, because without them I wouldn't be here today.”

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.

View our Blood Donation FAQs for more information.