With a local woman described as a miracle acting as its ambassador, the 2019 Gift-of-Life Marathon regained its magic and surpassed its goals with a life-saving demonstration of community spirit and love.
Buoyed by efforts by 23-year-old Stefanie Schaffer, who was nearly killed in a boat explosion in 2018 and received massive quantities of blood as doctors worked to save her life, the GOLM collected 617 pints over four days, beating the goal of 600.
“Stefanie and her family inspired a lot of people to donate and helped reinvigorate the drive,” said Green Mountain Power vice president and co-organizer Steve Costello. “After we set the national record six years ago, interest had waned, but Stef helped create a lot of energy, and people moved by her recovery and attitude turned out.”
Terry Jaye, co-organizer and WJJR’s operations manager, said donor after donor said Schaffer was what drew them to donate.
“I had first-time donors and people who hadn’t given in 10 or 15 years tell me that Stefanie’s strength, openness, and resilience inspired them to donate,” Jaye said. “Her willingness to share her story, the good and the bad and her continuing challenges, really moved people, myself included.”
Schaffer, who received a head injury, spinal damage and numerous broken bones, also suffered kidney failure and lost both legs. After a month in a coma, she had to relearn how to talk. She was told she would probably never walk again, but through grit and resilience, is using prosthetics and continues to defy doctors’ expectations.
“I feel honored to have helped promote the GOLM and help spread the word about the importance of blood donation,” Schaffer said. “It has been a humbling experience to hear from blood donors who were moved by my story to donate, and it feels wonderful to be able to give back after having been saved thanks to others who gave the gift of life.”
In 2013, the GOLM collected 2,350 pints of blood, a national record that still stands. Due to the logistical challenges and expense of such huge drives, they have been discontinued, though the GOLM’s most recent results still stand out.
“The 2019 GOLM was Vermont’s largest drive of the year,” Costello said. “It will affect the lives of hundreds of families in the northeast, like Stefanie’s, and that is what it’s really all about.”
