Brenda Murray, the director of environmental services at The University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC), recently organized a blood drive with a heartfelt purpose. The initiative stemmed from a personal experience that left her deeply grateful for the generosity of blood donors. Murray's son, Joey Vigil, was involved in a severe accident that led to life-threatening injuries, ultimately requiring 74 blood product transfusions to save his life.
Describing the harrowing incident, Murray recounted, "He went off a cliff and nose-dived into a cement arroyo... He had internal bleeding, and they were not able to stabilize him in the ER." Vigil's journey to recovery involved multiple surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay, during which the support of blood donors played a critical role. Murray expressed her gratitude, recognizing the selflessness of those who donated blood to save her son's life: "Somebody took time out of their day, their life... that transfusion—it saved my son's life."
After months of uncertainty and fear, Vigil eventually made a full recovery, thanks to the prayers of family members and the dedicated medical team at UNM Hospital. Reflecting on the ordeal, Murray emphasized the importance of giving back and showing appreciation for the lifesaving contributions of blood donors. This sentiment led her to organize the SRMC Blood Drive, scheduled for April 19th, with the hope of collecting at least 74 donations, symbolizing the number of transfusions that aided in Vigil's recovery.
Kenneth Spart, a nurse practitioner at UNM Hospital who played a significant role in Vigil's care, shared his perspective on the impact of blood donations in critical situations. "Joey is an example of someone who may not have had the same positive outcome... had we not had access to the volume of donor blood that he needed," Spart stated. He also described the rewarding moment when he saw Vigil fully healed and back to his regular routine, underscoring the transformative power of blood donations.
As Vigil continues to regain his strength and reintegrate into daily life, Murray expressed gratitude for the support and unity that emerged within her family during the challenging period. She highlighted the profound impact of the experience on their perspective, stating, "We are all just trying to give back from what we learned from our experience as a family." The upcoming blood drive serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience, generosity, and hope that can arise from adversity, offering individuals a chance to make a life-saving difference in the community.