Local Family Gives Back On Giving Tuesday
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The hashtag #GivingTuesday generated $46 million in donations last year. However, giving isn't just about the money, there's volunteering, and even donating blood.
Today a very grateful family, from South Jersey, decided to give back to the Red Cross.
Benjamin Hopkins likes to play with trucks and toys, just like any other five-year-old. Just two years ago, his life was in jeopardy. He was suddenly diagnosed with Aplastic anemia and his body stopped making new blood cells.
Ben was treated with a series of blood transfusions.
"Without them he wouldn't be here today," said Toni Hopkins, Ben's mom.
On this Giving Tuesday, Toni wanted to give back, and donate blood for the first time.
"To help anyone who may need a transfusion," said Toni. "The amount of time that I spend over at CHOP, with all those children getting transfusions for multiple reasons, all you have to do is look in those eyes and there's no way you can say no."
"It's such an easy thing to do to save someone's life," said Toni.
Toni's donation comes at a critical time for the Red Cross. Blood supplies typically drop during the holiday season.
"There's just a lot of activities going on that prohibit people from coming in like they normally would," said Beth Toll, of the Red Cross.
"Ben doesn't understand how donations from strangers turned his life around," Toni said. "But, his mom does."
To the people who donated blood that saved Ben's life, Toni says thank you, you're a super hero to her and you're a super hero to her son.
"Without those transfusions, until he had treatment, there was no other option," said Toni.
I joined Toni today, in making a blood donation even more meaningful, when you see patients like Ben who are helped.
Ben isn't technically cured, but his blood counts are back to normal. The Red Cross is hoping that the holiday slump, in blood supplies, will get a boost from Giving Tuesday, with the hopes that the spirit of giving lasts through the New Year.
