Baby’s First Birthday Celebrated with Blood Drive

PHILPOT, Ky. (WEHT) — Dean Hagan just celebrated his first birthday with his mom. His mom says the milestone is something that might not have been possible without the contribution of over a dozen blood donors. Hagan’s family hosted a blood drive to celebrate the full circle moment.

Joelle Hagan says exactly a year ago was the first time she held her son Dean, 12 days after his birth. When she woke up after giving birth, she discovered she had been diagnosed with hellp syndrome.

Hemolysis elevated liver low platelet syndrome is a rare pregnancy complication that required the use of 54 blood products.

Hagan says people, who saw how it affected her, asked how they could help and donated blood. The mother says the blood drive is a way to continue to promote awareness.

Over 2 dozen people arrived at the family medical practice on Highway 54 to donate, including her husband who donated for the first time.

She says the more the merrier.

“An individual donor can save up to three lives, potentially. With me requiring so many blood products, it took about probably 18 people that donated to save my life,” says Hagan.

Hagan says she’s hopeful it can be an annual event.

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