News release from the American Red Cross:
Special blood drive held in honor of Sarah Tippmann and all mothers and families
Allen County community encouraged to give blood
(October 5, 2015) — An American Red Cross blood drive will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015 in honor of Sarah Tippmann and all mothers and families. The drive will be held from 9 a.m until 3 p.m. at Scout Park Conference Center, 2300 Meyer Rd. in Fort Wayne.
The mother of 13 children, Sarah needed blood during two of her pregnancies. While delivering her seventh child, Sarah suffered a hemorrhage that required surgery and eight units of blood. Mother and baby recovered and Sarah went on to have six more children. However, her last delivery was even more challenging.
At about five months into her pregnancy, Sarah was diagnosed with a rare complication, placenta accreta. By 30 weeks, the placenta had grown through the uterus into the bladder causing damage. A few weeks later, just as she was leaving her doctor’s office, Sarah began bleeding heavily.
A medical team immediately took Sarah to an operating room where she underwent an emergency C-section, a hysterectomy and bladder surgery. She was transfused with 24 units of blood.
Days later, Sarah says she met the newest love of her life, Andrew. The newborn spent three weeks in neonatal intensive care while Sarah underwent a second surgery and two more weeks in the hospital. “I am forever thankful to generous volunteer donors for their gift of lifesaving blood,” Sarah said.
“God gave me two lives that day, Andrew’s and mine,” Sarah said. “Our 13 children still had a mother, my husband still has his wife and I get to enjoy the beauty of watching them grow and love. This was only possible through those individuals who donated blood. I can never thank them enough.”
The Jay and Sarah Tippmann Family encourages anyone who can to give blood in honor of all mothers and families. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative.
To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Donate Blood in Honor of Sarah Tippmann and All Mothers and Families
Saturday, October 17, 2015
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Scout Park Conference Center
2300 Meyer Rd. in Fort Wayne
Donors are asked to please call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to redcross.org and use sponsor code “TIPPMANN” to schedule a blood donation appointment.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org.
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