How To Save A Life

"Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life"

The lyrics above are from the song "How to Save a Life" by The Fray. I always think of my dear friends Corey Shaffer and Rick Girod when I hear this song. It reminds me of the importance of doing all I can to help save a life.

I've written about both Corey & Rick before. Quite a few times actually. Their deaths changed my outlook on life. The way I view daily interactions with people. The way that I believe in second chances. The way that I value the simple things in life. I'll never forget both of their smiles and love for life.

They were both in car accidents, which ended up taking their lives. But before they passed on, they recieved blood units in effort to save their life.

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Did you know that one pint of blood can save up to three lives?

Less than an hour of your day, and you can save three lives.

Three mothers have their child back. Three brothers have their sister back. Three friends have their best friend back. Three dads have their little girl back. Three wives get their husband to wrap in their arms around again. Three children will get their parent back.

You can do it. With just an hour of your time.

If I still haven't convinced you to donate blood yet, then consider this:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every single day.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

And lastly, the final statistic is why we do a blood drive every year in honor of Corey & Rick.

A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

For the last five years, Abbey Foster & Ashley Brune have graciously organized a blood drive in memory of their former boyfriends and best friends. With the help of family members, friends, and even complete strangers, they have helped the American Red Cross collect:
2006--92 units

2007--88 units

2008--87 units

2009--97 units

Doing the math, that is 364 units. We have potentially saved 1,092 lives. Unbelievable. One small event can have such a lasting impact.

Our hope to recieve more than 100 units this year. A lot more. We can do it. Let's break 100 this year!!


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The blood drive is Saturday, December 18 · 9:00am - 3:00pm. The blood drive will take place in Zion Lutheran's Gym 1010 W. Monroe St. Decatur, IN 46733.

If you have questions about donating, please visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/. Or please feel free to contact me, Abbey Foster, or Ashley Brune directly. We will be happy to answer any of your questions.

You can also sign up for an appointment by sending a message to Ashley or Abbey through the Facebook event, 5th Annual Blood Drive in Memory of Rick Girod and Corey Shaffer.



I hope you will save the date to make a difference. To save a life.


Much love,
Ashley