In order to promote awareness of the upcoming 18th Annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup to be held at the Freshman Campus Auditorium on Nov. 18 and 19, we share stories of local Okeechobee folks who have received donations of blood and the difference it made in their lives.

In July 2021, Bethany Enfinger Long was diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to ICU at Raulerson Hospital. She needed convalescent plasma, a blood product, to recover and go home. Data from clinical trials, studies and a national access program suggested that COVID-19 convalescent plasma, donated by people who had recovered from COVID-19 themselves, had high antibody levels that may lessen the severity or shorten the duration of COVID-19.

Due to the short supply of convalescent plasma at that time, Bethany’s parents, Danny and Cindy Enfinger, joined the hospital staff in the search that went on for days to find the convalescent plasma with her blood type. Finally, the plasma was located and administered to Bethany so, after three weeks in ICU, she was able to be released. Bethany is very grateful for the donated plasma that saved her life.

Please thank Bethany for sharing her story by donating the gift of life - your blood - at the 18th Annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup on Nov. 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Freshman Campus Auditorium. All blood donors will receive a commemorative Roundup T-shirt and a goody bag.