Only 3 out of 100 Americans donate blood, yet every two seconds someone needs it. Below is the courageous story of a donated blood recipient who has chosen to dedicate her survival to advocating for blood donations across the world.

Sharita Henderson was with her friend at the Waffle House in Antioch, TN on Sunday, April 22, 2018 when a gunman opened fire on the restaurant, tragically killing four people and also injuring several others, including Henderson. Henderson was shot several times putting her in critical condition. She required numerous live-saving surgeries & blood transfusions at Vanderbilt Medical Center’s Trauma Unit. Sharita had to at one point receive multiple units of blood daily for months as she fought for her life. Without the kindness of strangers, these units of blood may not have been available. After a grueling recovery, Sharita has decided to join the American Red Cross to influence blood donors to give blood, so that future gun violence survivors will have the same fighting chance. She is using her platform to motivate others to face adversity, advocate for victims rights, & to eradicate gun violence in our community.

Sharita asks that volunteers who donate blood in her honor include #SharitaStrong on all social media platforms. We never know when our lives could be the ones in dire need of blood. It is Sharita Henderson’s hope that when you or a loved one needs blood, it will be there no matter the blood type.