The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC), in partnership with Timothy (Tim) Shaw and his family, is hosting the ‘Time for Tim Blood Drive’ next week. Tim, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in Nov. of 2020 credits the blood center and the community for saving his life.
On Nov. 7, 2020, Tim Shaw was driving his motorcycle to work when he was struck by a deer (buck). His bike didn’t have a scratch on it, but Tim suffered from severe injuries. His neck was gored by the buck’s antlers and the right side of his face was degloved. He also suffered major injuries to his right arm.
Tim was in a coma for 31 days and doctors estimate he lost 80 percent of his blood volume. He used 11 units during his stay at the hospital in Rockford and once transferred to Madison2, he required several more blood transfusions throughout his recovery. Tim and his wife Jackie want to give back to the community that saved his life through blood donation.
“Nov. 7 marks the two-year anniversary of my accident and my wife and I wanted to do something to thank the community for donating the blood that was available when I needed it so desperately,” said Tim Shaw. “We also want to pay it forward and host this drive to help the blood center collect more donations, so blood is there when someone else needs it. Blood donations saved my life, and I am forever grateful to this amazing community who donated blood and gave me a second chance at life.”
In partnership with the RRVBC, they are hosting the Time for Tim Blood Drive from Nov. 7-12 at all RRVBC donor centers. All donors during the week will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card. Appointments are encouraged but walk ins are also welcome.
The blood center along with Tim and his family encourages the community to donate next week in honor of Tim. His goal is to see 100 donors give blood to replenish the 11 plus units he used and to ensure there is blood available to all patients requiring a transfusion.
Donating blood is simple. After registering, a donor care specialist will take individual’s vitals (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin), and each person must complete an eligibility questionnaire before they can sit back and relax while giving. The donation itself only lasts about 10 minutes. Refreshments await after donating.
First-time donors should bring a photo ID. Individuals can donate a single unit (whole blood donation, the most common type) every 56 days. Students can donate once they turn 16 years of age and must have a signed parental consent.
To schedule a donation, visit rrvbc.org, call 815-965-8751 or use the myRRVBC app.
About Rock River Valley Blood Center
The Rock River Valley Blood Center is your community blood center and is the only provider of blood products and services to Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton, Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Harvard, Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center-Janesville and Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, SwedishAmerican Hospital, SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, SwedishAmerican Medical Center-Belvidere, Beloit Health System, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN-Freeport and Rochelle Community Hospital. The center has four convenient donor centers in Rockford, Belvidere, and Freeport and the ability to support up to three mobile drives a day. The Rock River Valley Blood Center ensures that the right blood type is available at the right time for local patients whose lives may depend on it. Patients and their families rely on individuals to provide life-giving red blood cells, plasma, and platelets through blood donation.
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