COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The last thing we want to hear about is social distancing, and when it comes to healthcare, that phrase makes lifesaving treatments like blood transfusions hard to come by.
The American Red Cross has already put out alerts for blood shortages begging for people to come out and help, and for a College Station family and many others, your gift can save a life.
Patricia and Rhett Cutshaver are like a lot of parents dealing with the pandemic.
“It’s been very challenging for the entire family. And we have two older girls. And they’ve had to change their lifestyle quite a bit with regards to playing with their friends,” Rhett said.
The Cutshavers are used to being careful though. Patty and Rhett also work at CHI St. Joseph’s.
Patty is an ER nurse and Rhett is a respiratory therapist who regularly deals with COVID-19 patients.
“When I come home, it’s clothes off, into the washer, straight to the shower, that kind of thing,” he said.
Aside from keeping a closer eye on hygiene, these past few months have been especially challenging for the family.
“There’s things that we cant do that we normally do as a family, you know, take family trips or things like that. [Jordan] can't really be out in public.”
Their two year old, Jordan, was diagnosed with leukemia last September.
“So we’ve got another layer of complexity with her and trying to keep her healthy and the other kids and ourselves."
The family has been going to Texas Children's in Houston usually weekly, but Jordy is still their happy little girl, taking it all in stride.
“She actually enjoys being at the hospital, Patty said. "She loves all the nurses. She has her favorite nurse Katy she looks for every time she goes up there.”
The Cutshavers said they are humbled by the amount of support they see back here at home, especially on the days they come back from treatments. While they’re so grateful for the community support, they’re asking you for help on just one more thing.
“There’s a bit of a blood shortage," Rhett said. "We know people at the clinic that haven’t been able to get their full transfusion amounts.”
There’s a Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Drive on Monday to help Jordy and people like her who need people like you to donate so they get the life-saving treatment they need.
If you are worried about your our own health, workers will be on hand to address any concerns you may have.
"They have been very very careful with social distancing, hand washing, screening taking temperatures," Patty said, "and it saves these kids lives.”
“I would ask people to think, if I was in this situation or my child was in this situation would I want somebody to have donated, and I think the answer for all of us is yes,” Rhett said.
The donation drive will be from 9 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2020.
To schedule your appointment to give, click here.
If you do donate blood, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will do free coronavirus antibody testing for those who donate.
You can learn more about Jordy and her journey here.