After their son, Travis, died in a car accident in 2016, Raquel and Blass Ybarra turned to hosting blood drives with the American Red Cross to honor his memory. An outpouring of community support for the drives has been so profound that it has brought unexpected solace to the Ybarras and their journey through grief.
“It’s actually helped with our healing,” said Raquel Ybarra. “My husband and I have both felt overwhelming support from the community. We’re healing as we’re going.”
Since 2017, the Ybarras have hosted 10 “in honor” blood drives. The most recent one on July 26 was in tribute to what would have been Travis’ 33rd birthday. Travis was a Red Cross blood donor and organ and tissue donor. After the accident, 34 people ranging in age from 4 – 72 were recipients of his gift-of-life donations.
“Because we get to talk to others about Travis’ life, we get to hear other peoples’ stories about why they donate,” said Ybarra, a resident of Adrian (located about 70 miles southwest of Detroit) and pre-school teacher of at-risk children. Travis was the second oldest of three sons.
“We hear so many stories at these blood drives and it’s so beautiful. Sometimes these blood drives are what heals donors, when they give in honor or, in remembrance of, or for whatever their reason and for whatever their purpose.”
Ybarra is a blood donor herself, having reached the five-gallon mark with her 40th donation at the July 26 blood drive. Mixed-race donors like Ybarra, who is Native American, Spanish and Mexican descent, play a key role in helping the Red Cross maintain a diverse blood supply to ensure the right blood product is available at the right time for patients.
The decision to host a blood drive did not come easy for Ybarra and her family. She credits her sister, Monica, who was dealing with her own health challenges, with persuading the family to do it. Ybarra does all the coordinating and family members show up in numbers to help at the blood drive and donate blood. The result is a seamless and efficiently run operation.
“Our purpose is to continue Travis’ legacy as a blood donor and tissue-organ-eye donor, and we hope that others feel within themselves to also reach out and help humanity as Travis did. My husband would always tell our children ‘always better yourself. Do good for others because you never know what they’re going through themselves.’”
By David Olejarz, regional communications director
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