A Nurse’s Life of Service, Made Possible by Resilience and Generous Blood Donors
By Emma Fermo, Red Cross writer For Deb Camejo of Plymouth, New Hampshire, the need for blood was not just abstract; it was personal. Twice in her life, blood transfusions, given by strangers she will never meet, have kept her alive. Deb Camejo, blood recipient “I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the American Red Cross, and for that blood. I completely expected to die that night.” Debbie is a registered nurse with 48 years of experience, the majority dedicated to labor and delivery and Obstetrics, the same ward where she nearly lost her life. The first time Debbie recalls needing blood was in 1980, after a postpartum hemorrhage following the birth of her first child. After receiving two units of blood, Debbie returned home with her beautiful son and recovered. The second time, Debbie says, was far more critical. Nearly 11 years later, in 1991, six and a half months pregnant, Debbie suffered a complete placental abruption at home, without warning. It’s a life-th...
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