Woman's Legacy Helping to Save Lives with Blood Drive
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: January 29, 2013
LACON - Lisa Osborne
didn't just meet people. She got to know them.
And for 27 years of
marriage, David Osborne watched his wife change the lives of those around her.
"If you were here
for 15 minutes with her, she'd know your wife's name, you kid's name, your
dog's name and she'd remember them a year later," he said.
Dave says Lisa lived
life to the fullest. She was always on the go, even after diagnosed with stage
four breast cancer in 2008 and undergoing non-stop chemotherapy.
"She absolutely
dominated cancer. Some of the best time, best times we ever had was during that
period of time. She really took advantage of her moments she had when she got
that diagnosis," he said.
Only one thing slowed Lisa
down. It's when she needed blood.
"For somebody with her
will and determination, that took her out of the fight. She was kinda'
powerless against the cancer. There was no way to fight back," he said.
She required frequent
blood and platelet transfusions.
"The blood was
kinda' the equivalent of changing a tire on a NASCAR race. It's not why you're
there, but you sure can't race without it. So getting the blood got her back in
the fight," he said.
Dave says it helped
extend Lisa's life for three-and-a-half years. That bought time for countless
memories and family trips. He says the family is thankful for that time.
She lost her battle
January 21, 2012. But nearly exactly a year later, she's still changing lives.
Thursday, a blood and platelet drive is being held in Lisa's honor.
"I've made every
excuse under the sun to not give blood, some real clever ones. And this kind of
took away my excuse," said Dave.
He misses Lisa, the
love of his life and childhood sweetheart, and he wishes she could have met
their new grandson, Nolan. But to know she's still making an impact is almost like
she never left.
"She was just a huge
part of this family, and she can probably never be replaced."
You can take action for
Lisa by signing up to give blood or platelets this Thursday, January 31, 2013.
The American Red Cross
is hosting a drive in her honor at the Peoria Blood Donation Center on 405 W.
John H. Gwynn Jr. Avenue in Peoria.
It's by appointment only. Blood donation
appointments are available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Platelet donations
appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can sign up by
calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
