Shortly after Rachel Adams’ first birthday she developed a rare autoimmune disease called familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. It causes white blood cells to become overactive, attacking all other blood cells. Rachel underwent numerous chemotherapy treatments while waiting for a bone marrow transplant. She received the transplant at 2 years old and had 298 lifesaving blood transfusions before her third birthday.
As a teenager, Rachel learned it was unlikely she would ever be able to have a baby because of the medical treatments she received as a child. After six years of marriage to her husband, Colby, Rachel got the amazing news that she was pregnant. Due to her chronically low platelet count, Rachel required two blood transfusions during her daughter Brinley’s delivery, bringing her lifetime transfusion total to an even 300.
When Rachel and Colby look into Brinley’s eyes, they can’t help but think of the hundreds of donors whose selfless generosity have brought them to this happy place in their lives.
“Complete strangers gave me a second chance at life, people I will never know and never be able to properly thank,” said Rachel. “I want everyone reading this to know how blood donations change lives, answer prayers and bring about miracles. Words could never capture the gratitude I owe.”
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