When you come in to donate blood, you help provide lifesaving care to patients in need. But you also receive the added benefit of a free health screening provided by a trained Red Cross staff member.

Margaret Kelly of Dutchess County shares her personal health journey and ongoing recovery that began with the routine health assessment.

“What encouraged me to share my recent health experience all started with a simple blood donation. I am a regular blood donor and have always enjoyed good health. At my last appointment at the beginning of December, the nurse noticed that my hemoglobin count was unusually low. She warmed up my hands and when she tested again, the count was still low. She told me that I couldn’t give blood that day and she kindly suggested that I go to see my primary care physician because I am not normally anemic – ‘get yourself checked out.’

“I was disappointed to not have had been able to donate blood, since giving blood for me is a way to concretely help those in need. However, her encouraging words motivated me to contact my doctor.

“This was the start of a series of blood work, ultrasounds, exams that eventually would lead me to have a colonoscopy to determine the cause of the low hemoglobin and a high liver enzyme that showed in subsequent bloodwork. The colonoscopy exam revealed a significantly sized tumor! The biopsy results and further scans revealed cancer cells present in my colon! I was diagnosed with colon cancer and needed to undergo surgery as soon as possible.

“Fast forward, on March 4, 2025, I underwent major surgery on the colon at Vassar Brothers Medical Center and the mass (tumor) was removed as well as 17 lymph nodes. When the pathology report came in after surgery, the results showed that all lymph nodes were cancer free and there was no spreading of the cancer. The cancer was localized, and it had all been removed along with the tumor – categorizing my cancer as Stage I, requiring no chemotherapy.

“I am now recovering from surgery and have a few more weeks to go. I feel truly blessed! The surgeon was amazed how early the colon cancer was detected. He said, ‘you gave blood regularly, and in turn, your cancer was caught early.’ I had no other symptoms and perhaps, only after a year or two, I would have developed other symptoms and by then the cancer would have spread. I thank God for that day in December during the blood drive, which was the reason for the early detection.

“I am happy if my story can help others to understand that donating blood regularly may also be a key factor for safeguarding our health! Thank you.” – Margaret Kelly

* The American National Red Cross does not provide medical advice or diagnosis. The information provided is intended to be used for blood donation eligibility only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, judgment or treatment by a licensed physician. Please check with your personal physician about the meaning of your specific test results. Vitals information may not be available for all appointments.

**Health assessment chart tracking is now available in the award-winning Red Cross Blood Donor App and by logging into the donor profile on RedCrossBlood.org.