When mission calls, Stephanie Carter answers

An unexpected emergency inspires a commitment to service and blood donation

by Dan Dowling, regional communications manager

“People get a little nervous in the medical space when you lose that much blood. I was given a six-unit transfusion and that's when somebody saved my life.”

Stephanie Meunier, of Essex, Vermont, is no stranger to the lifesaving power of blood donations. Today, she is a blood donor and volunteer for the American Red Cross, but her journey began 22 years ago, with an experience that changed her life forever.

Stephanie was in her early 30s, healthy and expecting her second child. She had no reason to anticipate any complications. However, during childbirth, things took a drastic turn. After 22 hours of labor, she needed emergency surgery.