Anonymous blood donors meet the woman whose life they saved

Last year, Shirley Polk ’s life changed forever. On Friday, it changed again, thanks to a meeting she had with 15 strangers who helped save her life.Last September, the 67-year old, whose liver and kidney suddenly failed after she developed acute autoimmune disease, received a transplant of both organs at Reagan UCLA Medical Center. On Jan. 13, at an event arranged by UCLA, she met 15 of the 59 strangers whose blood donations made possible the transplant surgeries that saved her life. Thanks to her donors ’ generosity, Polk was transfused with 32 units of whole blood, 27 units of plasma and 11 units of platelets.Shirley Polk hugs one of the 59 blood donors who saved her life by giving her a precious resource.Polk ’s blood donors reflect the rich ethnic diversity of Los Angeles.  She is African-American.  Among her donors were individuals who hail from Syria, Iran, Turkey, Korea, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and Taiwan. “I didn’t realize how many people had a hand in my journey,” said Polk to her donor-heroes. “You gave me a part of your life so that I could again have mine. I am so grateful and humbled that so many complete strangers gave of themselves.”Due to confidentiality laws, most blood donors never know who receives their blood. Similarly, patients never learn the identities of those who donate their time and blood to save their lives.In this case, however, by obtaining permission from many of the donors, UCLA provided Polk with a unique opportuni...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news