Teacher Coordinates Blood Drives After 320 Transfusions

Elizabeth Lowry spent eight months fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia, sustained by more than 120 blood transfusions and 200 platelet transfusions that kept her alive through aggressive chemotherapy. Now the Fairmont special education teacher coordinates blood drives at her school, turning gratitude into lifesaving action.

Lowry grew up watching her mother donate blood regularly at the nursing home where she worked. She carried that tradition into adulthood, donating plasma and blood cells throughout college and into her teaching career.

Everything changed in April 2021 when what seemed like food poisoning turned into a leukemia diagnosis. But Lowry faced the news with determination, telling her doctors she'd still chaperone her daughter's June trip to Washington DC.

"I didn't focus on the negatives of losing my hair, fighting cancer," Lowry said. "Keeping my family and my kids gave me that purpose to keep fighting and moving forward."

The chemotherapy destroyed cancer cells and healthy blood cells alike. The donated blood products replaced what her body couldn't produce, keeping her alive month after month.

Now in remission, Lowry can no longer donate blood herself because of her blood cancer history. When the school's longtime blood drive coordinator Rex Hernes prepared to retire, she immediately volunteered to take over his role.

The Ripple Effect

Lowry's work extends far beyond scheduling donation appointments. She shares her story with students and community members, showing them exactly what their donations accomplish.

Sue Thesenga from the Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross says coordinators like Lowry transform how people view donation. "Without blood products, she might not be here to be a teacher, mother, wife, and that really hits home," Thesenga explained.

Even during her treatment, Lowry reached out to family members encouraging them to donate. She'd track down blood drives near their homes and send them information.

Her message resonates because it's personal. People who know her battle understand that every donation they give could save someone else's mom, teacher, or friend.

Two blood drives are scheduled for February 10 and 11 at the Best Western in Fairmont, giving community members a chance to follow Lowry's example.

"Being able to go from being a donor to needing it to now supporting our donors, it feels good to be able to continue to help," Lowry said—proof that second chances shine brightest when shared.