NORFOLK, Va. — Katie Niehoff developed a rare, life-saving condition when she was pregnant with her fifth son, AJ. During that delivery, she had a hysterectomy and lost a large volume of blood. "I had to receive 14 units of blood to survive," she said.
That was 11 years ago. She said needing blood or donating blood never crossed her mind — until her family faced a crisis.
"When I woke up in the ICU and I was finally able to speak, I told my husband I was embarrassed because I had never donated blood and 14 people had selflessly rolled up their sleeves, donated blood and kept me alive and kept my family together," she said.
It is because of stories like Katie’s that News 3 is partnering with the Red Cross for the Labor of Love blood drive that kicks off Labor Day weekend.
"It's such a simple way to help a neighbor, a friend or even a family member. It takes less than an hour from the time you walk in the door," she said.
You can donate at several locations, including Chesapeake Square Mall and Patrick Henry Mall on the Peninsula, Friday through Monday.
"From that point on, as a family on my son's birthday we would host a blood drive, and we just held our 10th annual AJ blood drive," she said.
She became so involved with the Red Cross that she decided to work for the nonprofit five years ago.
"The more I realized how much this organization does to help people with blood or after disasters, the more it became a really good fit for me," she said.
Katie Niehoff and all who donate blood to the American Red Cross are life-saving heroes and a positive force in Hampton Roads.
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