Woman and baby saved by CSFD blood transfusion program

(COLORADO SPRINGS) —  The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) hosted a gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 1, where Chelsea Tuff, a woman saved by the Whole Blood program, thanked her rescuers and shared how the program saved her life.

On Aug. 6, CSFD responded to a call for a woman in labor who was bleeding heavily. Engine 11 arrived and administered whole blood at the scene. She was then transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, where she successfully underwent a cesarean section.

“I remember a gentleman in the back of the ambulance asking for permission to give the blood. And I remember later on, being in the hospital realizing, ‘I think that’s what saved our lives,'” said Tuff. “I’m so glad that we didn’t drive ourselves to the hospital, that we had an ambulance. That made all the difference. And I’m feeling very grateful for that, that the outcome could have been so much different for Miss Rosie [the baby].”

Through a partnership with UCHealth, Colorado Springs became the first metro area in the state to equip CSFD rigs with lifesaving whole blood. The program is supported by philanthropic donations to the UCHealth Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The fire department held a blood drive on Monday, Sept. 30 with Vitalant, and hopes to host more in the future to ensure this life-saving resource is available.

You don’t have to wait until the next drive, though — you can donate at one of Vitalant’s many locations in the area, seven days a week.