The Power To Save A Life Is In Your Veins
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Raenique “Rae” Madden-Bowman lights up a room with her smile. She is often described as “everyone’s favorite.” As an office support specialist with Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Rae cares deeply about her team’s drive to make a positive impact in the community.
Just below that confidence and happiness lie the pain from a near-death experience just four years ago.
On that day, Rae went in for her annual physical expecting her results to hold no surprises. The married mother of one left her appointment feeling fine and went about her day at work, later she picked up her daughter from school and headed home.
During the drive, she got a call from the doctor’s office. She was told she needed to go to the hospital immediately due to dangerously low hemoglobin numbers.
Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout your body. If this number is low, it means your red blood cell count is low. The doctors needed to know why.
Rae ignored the call and made it home. She told her husband, and he begged her to go to the hospital. After a while, she relented. At the hospital, her numbers kept dropping. At one point a nurse asked, “how are you awake right now?”
Rae’s sunshine dimmed and she started feeling sick as the situation worsened.
Rounds of testing found she had a blood disorder and other health concerns. She had one blood transfusion and two surgeries to save her life.
The recovery was rough, but Rae is back to shining bright. Her gratitude has deepened for those who donate blood.
“You hope to never need a transfusion and in those desperate moments, donors matter most,” said Rae.
That is why Rae hopes everyone can make the time to donate blood as part of the County’s 39th Annual Blood Drive in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank.
It is easy to sign up at one of the dozens of locations across the county. At your appointment, your iron level, pulse, and cholesterol will be checked to ensure you are healthy enough to give.
In 2022 the County team donated 492 pints of blood, enough to save more than 1,400 lives.
This year the goal is 501 pints. Thanks to donors, Rae was able to go home to her husband and baby girl. She feels lucky to have the chance to watch her daughter grow.
Blood Drives at County Facilities
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER | BOOK NOW
MON, APR 3 | 9:30 am-4 pm | Mobile parked in front on Pacific Hwy., 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101
FALLBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER | BOOK NOW
MON, APR 3 | 11:30 pm-4:30 pm | Parking Lot, 341 Heald Ln., Fallbrook, CA 92028
JULIAN LIBRARY | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 5 | 12 am-5 pm | 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
EDGEMOOR HOSPITAL | BOOK NOW
THUR, APR 6 | 9 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 655 Park Center Dr., Santee, CA 92071
COUNTY OPERATIONS CENTER | BOOK NOW
THUR, APR 6 | 9 am-3 pm | Main Entrance Cul de Sac, 5560 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123
EAST REGION LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW
MON, APR 10 | 9 am-2:30pm | Parking Lot, 367 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT - SOUTH COUNTY DIVISION | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 11 | 9 am-2pm | Parking Lot, 500 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910
MISSION VALLEY FRC- NORTH CENTRAL/RESIDENTIAL | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 11 | 8 am-1:30 pm | North Parking Lot area, 7947 Mission Center Ct., San Diego, CA 92108
LEMON GROVE FRC | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 11 | 10 am–3:30 pm | Parking Lot, 7065 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
PROBATION - SOUTH BAY REGION | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 11 | 9 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 1095 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista, CA 91911
SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROADS DEPARTMENT | BOOK NOW
FRI, APR 11 | 11 am-4 pm | Parking Lot, 11970 Singer Ln., Spring Valley, CA 91978
NORTH INLAND LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW
THURS, APR 13 | 9 am-2 pm | Parking Lot, 649 W. Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025
SEVILLE PLAZA | BOOK NOW
THUR, APR 13 | 9 am-3 pm | Campus Visitor Parking Lot, 5469 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
SOUTH REGION LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW
FRI, APR 14 | 8:30 am-2 pm | Parking Lot, 690 Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA 91911
NORTH COAST FRC | BOOK NOW
FRI, APR 14 | 8 am-1 pm | 3708 Ocean Ranch Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056
SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT | BOOK NOW
FRI, APR 14 | 10 am-3:30 pm | Parked in front of Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 18 | 9 am-3 pm | Parked Curbside, 3989 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
JUVENILE PROBATION CENTER | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 19 | 9:30 am-3:30 pm | Parking Lot, 2901 Meadow Lark Dr., San Diego, CA 92123
NORTH CENTRAL FRC | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 19 | 10 am-4 pm | Parking Lot, 5055 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
SOUTH REGION FRC | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 19 | 9 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 401 Mile of Cars Way, National City, CA, 91950
SHERIFF HEADQUARTERS | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 19 | 9 am-3 pm | Parking Lot, 9621 Ridgehaven, San Diego, CA 92123
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES | BOOK NOW
TUE, APR 25 | 8:30 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 8911 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92123