Wisconsin

Heroes for Moms Blood Drive!

Thursday, October 28, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center
6255 N Santa Monica Blvd
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

In collaboration with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin and Aurora Health Care, join survivor Abby Bar-Lev Wiley to help save the lives of mothers and others who require blood transfusions.

Make a blood donation appointment

Abby’s Story

I had an emergency c-section with my first child who was born prematurely, so when I became pregnant again, I thought I had low expectations: I joked that I only hoped to have a pregnancy that went close to term, with a birth experience that wasn’t terrifying and traumatic. Unfortunately, a routine anatomy scan at 20 weeks revealed that I had placenta previa and placenta accreta. The doctor told us that I would need a life-saving hysterectomy immediately following a c-section at 32 weeks, and that my pregnancy would be closely monitored by the Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder team at Aurora Sinai in Milwaukee. We were stunned, devastated, and frightened after learning that 90% of accreta patients need a blood transfusion and that many hemorrhage. Following a scary middle-of-the-night bleed at 29 weeks, I was hospitalized until my surgery date, separated from my toddler and most of my family because of COVID-19 policies. The surgery went as planned, but I hemorrhaged during surgery and lost 4 liters of blood. It took 9 units of donated blood to save my life. I am so grateful for blood donors every time I snuggle my children and kiss my husband goodnight. To honor my survival and gratitude, I am hosting a Heroes for Moms blood drive on my baby’s first birthday–my survivor anniversary–and I am so inspired by and grateful for every person who turns up to give blood.