Blood Donation Saves Cancer Patient

By Nicole Wiseman and Chris Howell

More than 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 45,000 will die. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. Because of that, thousands of blood donors rolled up their sleeves to help local women who are battling the disease.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute donated nearly $4,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Tulsa. That's thanks to thousands of blood donors who opted out of receiving a free t-shirt. Some even gave a small contribution.

That money is going straight to breast cancer patients and toward finding a cure. What's also valuable is all the blood that was donated. Some breast cancer patients rely on blood due to surgeries or chemotherapy.

Donna Maledon is proof of that. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Treatment sent the cancer into remission, only for it to come back three years later.

"If you told me in 2002 that I'd be doing treatment for six years, I'd probably think that's impossible. But, it's been six years," said breast cancer patient, Donna Maledon.

Years of treatment caught up with Donna back in January. She needed a blood transfusion and her life depended on it.

"My treatment had stopped. I was not able to go on because my body could not function any longer. So, it was the difference in those two pints of blood," said Maledon.

Blood donors are saving lives everyday. Donna was a donor before she was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, she never fully understood its significance.

"For the first time, I understood the importance of being a blood donor as I was sitting in that chair receiving that blood," said Maledon.

Donna will continue chemotherapy as she waits for a cure. In the meantime, she's spending time with her family, refusing to take her days for granted.

"None of us know our last day," said Maledon. "So, let us live each day to the fullest."