Nick's new heart started on October 24, at 2:15 am. Four days after the operation, he biked 4 ½ miles. And he is eager to add wins to his record as a coach of 27 years for the St. Anne Elementary school football team - 167 wins, 54 losses and 1 tie. "I care about my players and I want to coach their lives," says Nick. He also wants to thank donors: "They gave me another chance. Now I must continue to do as much as possible for others. I used to give blood, never thinking that donors might help me. I am grateful for donors."

Just before his 16th birthday, Eric came down with what his family thought was the flu. A blood test at the hospital revealed that the situation was much more serious — Eric had leukemia. He commenced immediate chemotherapy and over the course of his treatment required 25 units of red cells and over 30 units of platelets. Eric made it to his 16th! In fact, he is now 19, in remission, and attends the University of Idaho. "Blood donors have given me so much," Eric says. "I wouldn't be here without them."

To see him today, you'd never know Chas was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just five months old. During his three-and-a-half years of treatment, Chas needed a complete volume replacement of the blood in his body and countless units of platelets. After each platelet treatment, he would go from being lethargic to good-natured and full of energy. He's gone on to become a good athlete with a bright future and a lot to be thankful for. The blood and platelets that he received from people he'll never know have given him a chance he is eager to make the best of.

Cody was only four when an infection in his mouth turned out to be the first sign of a disease that had already riddled his body with tumors and cancer cells. Cody had Burkitts Leukemia. His body could no longer produce blood cells, so chemotherapy and blood transfusions became a way of life. Cody persevered and today, in remission, he is a rambunctious ten-year-old. His family is deeply grateful to the many blood donors who generously gave this gift of life.

When Anna Claire was born prematurely, her body wasn't producing blood on its own. Blood was needed immediately. Fortunately, thanks to compassionate donors, it was there, and seven weeks later, Anna Claire was able to go home. Anna Claire's grandmother says, "We were donors before Anna Claire, but never thought it might be a life or death situation for our immediate family." Today, her parents are also regular blood donors, grateful for the anonymous donors who saved their daughter's life.

"We could tell when a new transfusion was needed," say parents of twins Jared and Janet, born 11 weeks early. "They would grow pale and dusky." At first, the transfusion process seemed traumatic, but seeing their healthy pink glow return was reassuring. Janet needed four transfusions and Jared needed six. But eventually, they put those days behind them and before they knew it, they had started first grade. "Our children received many gifts since they were born, but none as important as the gift of life."

Eighteen-month-old Calvin had sickle cell disease. So when he ran a fever that didn't go away, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute chest syndrome. Several days later, when it was time to go home, Calvin's mother noticed he couldn't move one of his legs — he had had a stroke. Therapy, love and blood donations helped Calvin recover. To avoid future episodes, Calvin will continue to need the help only blood donors can give.

Ten-year-old Ashley and Nine-year-old Breana look like normal, healthy, happy kids, but they struggle every day with the toll sickle cell disease takes on their bodies. Both have endured years of blood transfusions and have had their spleens removed (which decreases the chances that the abnormally shaped blood cells will clump and provoke a sickle cell crisis). "Thank you to every last person who has donated blood," says their mother. "Ashley and Breana's lives depend on you."

When Rob started helping with Red Cross blood drives as a senior in college, he never thought he would be a recipient. On his way back to school one day after winter break, Rob was in a serious car accident. More than 12 units of blood were used to save his life. Rob says giving blood is one of the greatest acts of charity because you are giving away a part of yourself to help someone you don't even know — or as he discovered — maybe someone you do.

Malorie was three years old when she developed a bad infection as a result of drinking tainted apple cider. "I was in intensive care and I almost died," says Malorie. "I was lucky because so many nice people gave blood; people who didn't know me. People who give blood are heroes. Every day, they save lives. My motto is, "The more you give; the more people will live."

Madison came into the world early. Weighing in at barely one pound, she had scarcely enough blood in her tiny body to keep it going. But with seven blood transfusions and two platelet transfusions, she has beaten the odds. "Without the generous donations of perfect strangers, our child would not be alive today," says Julie, Madison's mom. "How do you say thank you for a gift like that?"

Tiffany was just fourteen when she suddenly became ill with aplastic anemia, a life-threatening blood disease. She received regular transfusions of platelets until a perfect bone marrow match was found - her little brother Nick. Tiffany is a healthy, active high school honor student. "When I got sick, people I didn’t even know joined my donor pool to make sure I would have enough blood. Now it’s my turn to give back and thank everyone for helping to save my life."