Community shares the gift of life by donating blood

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Red Cross said the winter weather has caused a decline in life-saving donations.

Nearly 120 blood drives across the country have been canceled, resulting in more than 4,300 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

"We are literally giving the gift of life," said Lori Ann Green.

Green and her daughter Ashley Green don't have to look any further than the photographs of their family to find a reason to give back.

"My father was Joseph E. Gleebie Jr. He passed away in December of 1999 from prostate cancer," said Green.

Her mother, a double-breast cancer survivor, passed away from complications of Alzheimer's disease last December.

Now the mother and daughter duo spends their holiday donating what platelet recipients call Liquid Gold.

"We've always donated together," Green said. "I was scared the first time. She was there to help. So it has become a mother-daughter tradition."

The Red Cross said since platelet donations only have a five-day shelf life, so there's a constant need. The cell-separated blood is used to treat everything from traumas to premature babies and cancer patients.

"Cancer is around 365 days a year and we can take a few hours out of our schedule to donate," said Green.

It's a gift the Greens said will help other families celebrate life this holiday season.

"I would much rather be here because Christmas is all about helping and giving back to people and that's exactly what we're doing here," said Green.

More than a dozen states' blood drives were affected by last week's winter storms including Connecticut, Missouri, New York and North Carolina.

If you would like to donate you can visit www.redcrossblood.org or call by calling 1-800-RedCross.

WSOC