story of hope – American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region

“I’m so grateful for blood donors who gave the gift of life to Addi and Rachel who also needed blood following complications from the childbirth.”

Pastor Joseph Naumann recalls the evening of Saturday, June 5, 2021, when his wife’s water broke at 22 weeks pregnant while at church. Following a visit to the emergency room, Naumann’s wife Rachel was hospitalized in Minneapolis to help keep the baby in the womb as long as possible so it could develop as much as possible before birth. Nine days later, Adelaide (Addi) Hope Naumann came into this world weighing just 1 pound, 8 ounces.

“It was touch and go if Addi would survive,” said Naumann. “Lots of hope was needed – we baptized her right away.”

Newborn Addi weighing 1 pound 8 oz. (photo provided).

Addi was immediately intubated because her lungs were not strong enough to breathe on her own. Her left lungs began leaking air into her chest cavity, so a chest tube was inserted in her small chest to release air building up. “Her skin was thin and transparent,” Naumann says. Addi needed two blood transfusions to help her survive.

There were lots of difficulties that Addi encountered, and the new mom and dad weren’t able to hold their daughter for a week. For 164 days, the Naumann’s traveled back and forth to the hospital to be with Addi, while also caring for their older three children. On Thanksgiving Day, they finally took their sweet new baby Addi home.

“I’m so grateful for blood donors who gave the gift of life to Addi and Rachel who also needed blood following complications from the childbirth,” Naumann said. “I think showing love and care to others is something all of us want to do. I encourage people to give – it could be your own family member in need. Giving the gift of life is the ultimate gift – a gift out the goodness of your heart – expecting nothing in return.”

Addi just turned two years old this summer and is talking and growing up just like other 2-year-olds. She loves to play with her sisters and brother and enjoys being outside in the sandbox or playing with her baby dolls. Naumann jokes, “I might be biased, but I think Addi may the cutest baby of all time!”

Two-year-old Addi loves to play outside (photo provided).

The Naumann’s have both donated blood in the past and plan on continuing to pay-it-forward. “It’s definitely something that is easy to be taken for granted as just being there when you need it, but I am so very thankful that there was blood available for both me and Adelaide when we needed it most,” said Rachel.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there’s an emergency need for type O blood donors, as well as platelet donors. More donors are needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care.   

Help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients like Addi! Schedule a blood donation today. Visit redcross.org/mndaks to make an appointment or for more information.

Crediting blood with saving his life, Bryan Joas advocates for blood donations.

*Shauna and Bryan Joas at the March 5, 2021, Joas Strong 5th anniversary blood drive held at Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan, Minn.*

While riding his bicycle home from work in 2016, Bryan Joas was involved in a hit-and-run accident. He suffered life-threatening injuries including a broken back, hips and ribs, and damaged lungs, liver, kidney, and intestines. He needed 12 surgeries during his 88-day hospital stay and received nearly 50 transfusions of blood products that helped save his life.

“Without the blood I needed, I may not have survived,” says Bryan. “I’m grateful to blood donors for ensuring there was blood on the shelves when my life was on the line.”

Five years later, Bryan spends little time thinking about the accident or that the vehicle driver has never been found. He chooses to focus on his health, family and replenishing the blood supply that was used to save his life. Bryan and his wife, Shauna, are both advocates for blood donations. “It’s important to me to help pay it forward. I’m living proof that blood helps save lives, and I urge anyone who is able to donate,” says Bryan.

To make an appointment to give blood dowload the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

For patients in the emergency room, fighting cancer or facing a life-threatening illness, help can’t wait. Blood donations are essential. Healthy donors are needed now to ensure that patients have lifesaving blood products available for emergency and everyday medical treatments.

Blood donation safety precautions

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

April is National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month – the perfect time to give blood, platelets or plasma. There’s no substitute for volunteer donors: Blood cannot be manufactured. In thanks, come to give by 4/30 to be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 e-gift card. Give: rcblood.org/Gift