What if you happen to had been instructed sooner or later that you just had a uncommon blood dysfunction that solely impacts 3 instances per million folks? This was the case for Janice Weaver, Director of Group Relations for the Metropolis of Houston, as she was identified with TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura), a uncommon life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).
When she first came upon she had the blood dysfunction from her physician, her response was, “Okay, I’ve it, are you able to deal with it?” Weaver had indicators of a stroke in addition to tremors, which if not handled, TTP may cause strokes or early dying. The rationale she was having these points was as a result of “the blood had depleted out of my physique,” she stated. The medical doctors needed to give her an implanted port so they may begin the method of giving her the plasma freeze remedy.
As a substitute of her prognosis as a destructive factor, she took it as “God understanding I might do one thing with it,” she stated, which is why she created One Physique Networking, which is a basis that works to save lots of lives by means of blood donations. “That’s the reason I began the blood drives since I used to be at Methodist Willowbrook, throughout the entire course of that point of getting all of the transfusions, they by no means as soon as requested me or the household to attempt to determine how you can get the blood again into their financial institution help.” Weaver didn’t know the place the blood was coming from, particularly since she was receiving 15 models a day, and he or she wished to pay it ahead.
The title One Physique Networking is biblical and is derived from a scripture in Romans that claims, “We’re many members, however one physique.” She additional added, “By way of the method of doing the blood drives, it’s all the time been a reference to anyone. Texas Ladies Empowerment Middle is the one which loaned me their constructing the primary time that I did my first blood drive with them…And the totally different companions coming in, so it simply made sense to say, one physique, one physique community, and ladies and members, however one physique… everyone has a job.”
Lately, the community celebrated ten years, and has acquired a large amount of help from schools, church buildings, and a number of different people and organizations. One Physique Networking additionally acquired the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Middle Small Hero Award. The group went up towards the Jewish Group Middle in addition to the Houston Museum of Pure Science, so successful that award was a giant achievement. One Physique Networking additionally made the calendar for the month of February for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Middle’s 2023 calendar.
There are lots of stigmas that may include donating blood, however Weaver desires everybody to know that one donor saves three lives and that you just shouldn’t be afraid to present blood. “It’s in your blood to save lots of a life, and you need to have it in your coronary heart to wish to save a life.” One Physique Networking has saved over 1500 lives and continues to save lots of many extra. Even by means of COVID, One Physique Networking was nonetheless saving lives when many people had been afraid to present blood throughout that point.
Along with saving lives by means of blood donations, One Physique Networking additionally has a scholarship program. “Folks couldn’t donate blood, in order that they began donating cash, she stated,” and final 12 months they gave out 9 $500 scholarships and two $750 scholarships.
One Physique Networking will probably be celebrating 10 years in September, and Weaver is so pleased with the work that she and her staff has completed over the last decade. “I’m humble and I’m grateful that I’ve had this chance. God has put me on a platform that I by no means even dreamt of, as a result of having the ability to save a life doesn’t price you a dime.”
In case you are excited about saving a life, One Physique Networking has an upcoming blood drive and again to highschool occasion that can happen on Saturday, August 19 at 8333 Sweetwater Ln, Houston TX, 77037. For extra details about the occasion and the group, you may go to www.onebodynetworking.org.
