Bonnie Czuhajewski began donating blood in 1980, as a senior in high school and has made it a life-long habit. “My motivation was never from a personal experience of receiving blood products, or even a loved one needing blood products,” she says. “I did it because it seemed like an easy thing to do that could actually save someone’s life.”

Over the years, Bonnie has coordinated blood drives at her church, but it wasn’t until 2020 that blood donation directly impacted her family. That year, her husband John was hospitalized after developing an autoimmune disease that started attacking his organs one by one. “He received many, many blood products in an attempt to save his life,” Bonnie says. “I felt proud knowing that I was partially responsible for my community being able to maintain an adequate blood supply for patients like my husband.”

Sadly, John passed away from his illness, but that hasn’t stopped Bonnie from donating whole blood and platelets to help others in need. “I am proud to be a 21-gallon donor (so far), and I try to inspire others to donate whenever I can,” she says.

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.