Helping save a life on the high seas warmed the heart of one Craig woman – Craig Daily Press

Craig When packing for a pleasure cruise, one Craig woman never expected her Bonfils Blood Center donor ID card would help her help save a life on the open seas.

I was on a cruise from New Zealand to Australia in February, said Mary Morris, of Craig.

The ship was still a day out of Tasmania when the captain announced a medical emergency and asked passengers with O-positive blood to consider helping.

I finished supper and cruised on down to see if they needed me, Morris said.

She joined several potential blood donors in the ship's medical center where medical staff selected her to donate.

"Others who responded did not have donor cards and doctors were relieved to see mine," Morris said.

Morris is a regular donor and promoter of Bonfils, and like all Bonfils donors, she received her donor ID card following her second blood donation.

Its something that nearly everyone can do. Many who could just havent. Its really no big deal to donate. It just takes a little time, Morris said.

After her ship board donation, the captain sent chocolates and wine to Mary's cabin along with a note stating, I would like to offer my heartfelt thank you for your kindness.

In Tasmania, the captain announced that the patient was doing well and had been taken to a hospital.

"The most rewarding experience was, after all these years, the firsthand reality of knowing that donating blood really can help save a life, a warm memory I cherish from this trip," Morris said.

In 2016, more than 142,000 blood donations from 67,000 people were made in Colorado to Bonfils blood centers.

Every blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives, said Liz Lambert, marketing and communications specialist for Bonfils Blood Center. April is National Donate Life Month that honors and celebrates organ, eye, tissue, blood and marrow donors for their commitment to saving lives.

She hopes more people will consider saving a life by donating blood.

The next Craig community blood drive is from 12:30 to 6 p.m. April 11 in the pavilion at the Moffat County Fairgrounds.

To make an appointment for the April 11 blood drive visit: donors.bonfils.org and enter the site code 0183.

Contact Sasha Nelson at 970-875-1794 or snelson@CraigDailyPress.com or follow her on Twitter @CDP_Education.

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Helping save a life on the high seas warmed the heart of one Craig woman - Craig Daily Press