A La Lucia woman whose life hung in the balance after giving birth to her first child said she owes her life to 10 anonymous blood donors.

As South Africa marks Blood Donor Month, Lauren Ward is sharing her story in the hope of encouraging more people to donate blood and help save lives.

Also read: Durban North SANBS celebrates blood donors

Ward was just 22 years old when she gave birth to her first child, a healthy 4kg baby girl, on December 22, 1996. What should have been one of the happiest days of her life quickly turned into a medical emergency when she suffered a severe haemorrhage after the birth.

Doctors battled to stop the bleeding and Ward received five pints of blood before being admitted to the intensive care unit.

“I spent the night in ICU and didn’t even get to see my baby,” she recalled.

Despite doctors’ efforts, the bleeding continued and Ward was rushed back into theatre.

“I remember hearing the doctor saying, ‘We’re losing her.’ They needed more blood, but there wasn’t any available in the hospital at the time.”

More blood was eventually sourced and delivered to the hospital, allowing doctors to administer another five pints.

In total, Ward received blood from 10 donors.

“I didn’t realise how serious the situation was until later. Looking back now, I know those blood transfusions saved my life.”

The ordeal meant Ward only met her newborn daughter when the baby was three days old.

“It was terrible what we all went through, but I was one of the lucky ones. Ten people saved my life. Without their donations, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Ward said the blood transfusions allowed her to experience milestones she would otherwise have missed.

“I got to watch my daughter grow up and now I’m about to become a grandmother. I would never have had those life-changing experiences if those people hadn’t donated blood.”

The experience left a lasting impression on Ward and inspired her to become a blood donor herself.

For the past 29 years, she has regularly donated blood, often at donor clinics in Durban North.

“I wanted to give back. It only takes a second of discomfort and it can save a life. There are no lasting effects and you walk away knowing you’ve helped someone.”

She believes many people do not realise how widely donated blood is used.

“People often think blood is only needed for trauma cases, but it’s used in so many different medical situations. It saves lives in countless ways.”

Ward has never met the donors whose blood helped save her life, but she certainly has a message for them.

“Thank you for giving me the gift of life. Because of you, I got to see my daughter grow up and now I get to meet my granddaughter. Be a superhero. You never know whose life you might save.”

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