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Turning 16 wasn't just about candles for Ashley Neary it was also about needles and blood.
The idea to donate blood on her March 16 birthday, when she became old enough to donate, arose when Neary heard a speaker a few weeks ago who said that every unit of blood donated to the American Red Cross saves the lives of three people.
Neary also was motivated by a friend of the family who had frequent blood transfusions before he died of cancer.
“I was really excited about it,” Neary said. “More excited than nervous. I'm not a big needle fan, but it wasn't that bad.”
In her passion, Neary, a Mercy High School student, also brought along two friends to give blood, Ashlee Melies and Emily Garcia. It turned out Melies couldn't donate because she was underweight, but Garcia donated alongside Neary.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood, according to the Red Cross.
While it was Neary's first time donating blood, giving to the Red Cross is nothing new for her. She's been on the Red Cross Youth Council since she was 14.
Her mom, Deborah Neary, used to work for the Red Cross, and suggested her daughter join the group.
Ashley Neary said she's enjoyed volunteering with the group, which is involved in activities such as raising money at Omaha Beef games, packing bags and sending letters to soldiers overseas, and dressing up as a mascot for health and safety events.
So is she ready to give blood again?
“Absolutely,” Neary quickly said. “May 11.”
That's the next time she's eligible for another date with the needle.
Contact the writer:
444-1219, susan.white@owh.com
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