ARUP Blood Services Honors Disney Gift Card Winners and Their Lifesaving Impact

Eliza Lawrence started donating blood regularly in high school because she had always loved the idea of helping others. She never expected her own family would need the gift she routinely gave. But when her husband needed a heart transplant and two blood transfusions, her perspective changed forever.

This past summer, ARUP Blood Services celebrated three outstanding donors-Eliza Lawrence, Jared Burrell, and Nick Leonard-with $1,500 Disney gift cards as part of a seasonal giveaway. Their stories reflect the lifesaving power of blood donation and reinforce the importance of ARUP's role as the sole blood provider for the University of Utah Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute. These donors exemplify the impact that one person can have on many lives.

Blood donation is often seen as a routine act of kindness, but for patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, or trauma care, blood donations are a critical lifeline. ARUP Blood Services supports these patients every day by supplying blood products to two of Utah's leading medical institutions.

Eliza's husband, Jack, was born with a congenital heart defect and had a cardiac crisis in 2022, which necessitated a heart pump and ventilator. He received a heart transplant at the University of Utah Hospital-and needed two blood transfusions during the surgery.

"That moment changed everything," Eliza said. "Could you imagine if he got a new heart and died on the table because there was no blood for him?"

Since then, Eliza has continued donating with ARUP Blood Services, motivated by the care her family received and the lives she can help save.

"This is the difference between a wife becoming a widow and a child growing up without a father," she said.

Jared has been donating blood for 20 years, all with ARUP Blood Services. After his first donation, he learned he tested negative for cytomegalovirus (CMV). As a CMV-negative donor who was never exposed to this common virus, his platelet donations are safe to use for immunocompromised patients and children-many of whom are treated at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

"I have kids of my own," Jared said. "It's my way of paying it forward to help anyone who wouldn't live without receiving the gift of blood."

Jared and his family plan to use their $1,500 gift card to take their first trip to Disney World.

Nick began donating blood to visit a friend who worked at the blood center. That visit has turned into a regular habit, and he's now a platelet donor whose blood has helped many patients with cancer and those in the intensive care unit (ICU).

"Knowing I'm helping someone heal keeps me going," Nick said.

Nick also appreciates the donor perks. The gift cards he has received have helped his family enjoy movies, dinners, and now, a Disney vacation.

"For a young family on a budget, it's more than a fair trade," he said.

These stories show that blood donation is more than a medical act-it's a personal gift that can mean the difference between life and death. Whether motivated by family, friendship, or the desire to help a stranger, donors like Eliza, Jared, and Nick are vital to the health of our community.

ARUP Blood Services invites you to schedule your appointment today, either by calling 801-584-5272 or visiting utahblood.org, and become part of a lifesaving mission. Your donation could help a patient survive surgery, fight cancer, or recover from trauma-and maybe even bring a little magic to your own family.

Jazlee Blake, [email protected]