Jan 9, 2026 By Jon Andreassi 2 min read

For a Jefferson Hills woman, blood donations have been a life saver since she received a cancer diagnosis in August 2024.

Her first and last names are both Rose, and she was working with children with special needs as a paraprofessional at Borland Manor Elementary School in North Strabane Township when a student jumped on her back. She experienced severe pain, and went to the emergency room.

That led to Rose being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the bone marrow. She has since gone through chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and has required more than 40 blood and platelet transfusions.

“I was needing transfusions every week,” Rose said.

Rose has been working with Vitalant to encourage people to become blood donors. She had donated in the past, but never considered how those donations could help someone in her current situation.

“You think of the obvious. Surgeries that didn’t go well, emergency situations. Never did I think about cancer patients,” Rose said.

January is National Blood Donor Month. Those who donate blood, platelets or plasma between Jan. 5 and Feb. 8 will be entered to win one of 26 $500 gift cards for Vitalant’s donor rewards store.

Maya Santana, communications manager for Vitalant, praised Rose for her willingness to share her experience.

“Stories like Rose help personify the act of blood donations,” Santana said.

For those who may be considering donating blood but are unsure, Rose urges “don’t be afraid,” and says the process takes about seven minutes from start to finish.

“You are saving a life, which is such a blessing,” Rose said.

Anyone interested in donating blood can sign up for a drive by visiting donors.vitalant.org.