A LIFESAVING MISSION

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 25, 2015

If you’re pondering whether or not to give blood this summer, consider the scary, yet inspiring story of Cody Hermeling.

Sept. 1, 2010 is a day 31-year-old Hermeling won’t forget. That’s when he suffered life-threatening injuries after his car was struck by a reckless driver. The prognosis was grim as doctors gave him a less than 3 percent chance of survival.

His injuries were substantial. He sustained numerous fractures, a ruptured spleen (which had to be removed) and severe head trauma. Hermeling was lucky blood was available. The Portland resident received 187 pints of red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Hermeling’s mother, Kathleen Boniface, recalls his trip to Legacy Emanuel Hospital. “Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Portland Fire and Rescue Station 22 (St. Johns) saved my son’s life. Cody was transported to the ER at Emanuel,” she said. “We were really fortunate that Emanuel’s A team, basically their top trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, were all there — he was in surgery, in the ER, for over 18 hours — It was a horrific experience.”

Soon after, while in a coma, Hermeling received a special visit from members of Station 22, first responders who helped in the delicate and difficult process of pulling Hermeling from his badly mangled vehicle. “Meeting them meant a tremendous amount to me,” Boniface said. “We stayed in touch. They followed his story throughout his four-month hospital stay and five-year recovery process — 40 surgeries to date.”

In honor of Hermeling, family and friends, and Station 22’s Brian Dundon, will be holding a fourth annual blood drive this weekend. Boniface wants to see a lot of donations and reminds people that giving blood only takes a few minutes. She added, “It’s so important that people are aware that what they’re doing really does matter.”

Jared Schultzman, from the American Red Cross office in Portland, said, “It’s amazing to see how Cody and his family have turned a life-altering accident into a lifesaving mission. When you consider that each blood donation can potentially help as many as three patients, you really begin to see the tremendous impact this blood drive has had over the years.”

Despite his blindness from the accident, Hermeling is doing just fine these days. “My son just inspires my life every day,” Boniface said. “Everybody he meets he seems to touch, in some way or another.”

FOURTH ANNUAL CODY HERMELING BLOOD DRIVE

When: Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Where: Yur’s Bar and Grill, 717 N.W. 16TH Avenue.

Complimentary brunch will be offered to all presenting donors as well as the opportunity to enter to win a variety of prizes.

The goal for this year’s blood drive is 68 pints, which would bring the overall total to 187 pints of blood — the same amount Hermeling received during his treatment.

The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types — especially 0 negative, A negative and B negative.

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins also are welcome.

You can view Hermeling’s story on YouTube. Type in “The Cody Hermeling Story.”

Information provided by the American Red Cross

Scott Keith is a freelance writer for the Portland Tribune and the Pamplin Media Group. If you have a health tip, or a story idea, contact Scott at: scottbkeith@yahoo.com