Jaime's Story

"When you wake up, get up. When you get up, do something."

Jaime Salas heard these words frequently when he was growing up. He evidently took them to heart, because he has helped his family, his community and countless unknown patients.

Jaime first donated blood for a specific cause when he heard at work that a child needed blood. Jaime and several others donated and a few weeks later, a thank-you letter from the parents was posted on the bulletin board, along with a picture of the little boy.

Jaime was touched to see the end result – the baby’s smile. He saw that his donation had really helped someone and somehow it made the whole blood donation process real to him.

After a tour with the army, Jaime settled in San Antonio, got a job with the phone company
in a position that placed him outside. “I loved every minute of it,” he says. “I just love to be outdoors.”  While working, he donated when the blood mobile came by. After he retired, a South Texas Blood & Tissue Center recruiter called and asked him to consider becoming a regular platelet donor.

Now he comes in every month to donate platelets. Platelets are small blood cells that help control bleeding. Chemotherapy can destroy bone marrow cells, and once the marrow becomes unproductive, platelet transfusion is necessary to prevent bleeding.

Jaime has passed the 10 gallon donation mark. Why does he donate? His answer is simple: “I feel great. I leave knowing I’ve helped someone, regardless of why they need it. It could be a baby that’s sick, like that little one I first donated for. It could even be a guy who got shot; hey, he still needs blood.”

Jaime recalls working with young, healthy men who seemed proud that they never donated blood. He says, “Donating is a selfless act that helps a child grow; lets a mother go home to take care of her children; lets a father go back to work.”

As a Hispanic, Jaime knows the need for other Hispanics to donate and the reasons why so many don’t. He says, “I’ve often addressed these concerns with my friends and co-workers. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” He adds, “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t donate.”

Jaime sees donation as an opportunity to save a life. “That’s what appealed to me. We do what we can to give someone a second chance. I look at it as giving someone a gift. It’s a great gift.” 

Indeed it is, Jaime. And many south Texas patients are glad that when Jaime Salas gets up, he does something.