On October 30, 1997, Nicholas Clark, of Lake Charles, decided to walk home from school. He almost made it home safe, but had one more busy street to cross. At the same time he ran across the street, a motorist was driving down the road unaware of the child. Nicholas was hit by the driver at approximately 45-mph. He was rushed to the area’s trauma center where he had a severe head injury and his brain was swelling rapidly. His leg was also badly broken. For three days he was kept in a drug induced coma. He had refrigerated blankets on him to keep his core body temperature below normal. This was done to slow down the brain and hopefully, prevent anymore damage. As “Nick” slowly woke up he responded appropriately to all questions. This was great news. His mother, Carla, a lab supervisor and blood drive chairperson remembers the day she signed consents for his blood transfusions. She thought of all the people through the years that she had asked to give blood. She wondered if she had thanked them enough for giving this gift of life.

Today, “Nick” is doing great! After months in the hospital and extensive rehabilitation he is on track. Nicholas and his family want to give a special thanks to all the blood donors who give daily so the blood was available for him in his hour of need.

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