Family of Local Rumpke Driver Hit By Car Hosting Blood Drive for Hoxworth donors
NEWS RELEASE: Cara Nicolas, Hoxworth Blood Center
CINCINNATI, OH (April 26, 2021) – A local man who survived being hit by a car in 2019 is hosting a blood drive with Hoxworth Blood Center on May 2nd to celebrate his recovery and give back to the local blood supply.
Noah & Kate Stepaniak (Provided)
Noah Stepaniak, a driver for Rumpke, was hit by a drunk driver in the early morning hours of Oct. 2, 2019 while on his route in Delhi, and suffered from internal bleeding, kidney damage, a broken arm, and a severed iliac artery.
“The first responders had to use a tourniquet on his leg to help stop some of the bleeding, the best they could,” said Kate Stepaniak, Noah’s wife. “Once Noah was transported to UC, we were told he was not expected to survive, due to the amount of blood loss.”
Noah spent 26 days in the hospital and had multiple surgeries in the months following the accident that required blood transfusions.
While his left leg had to be amputated, he overcame the odds and was able to go home, recover, and get married in August of 2020.
“I will forever be grateful to the people who donated their blood so Noah could get a second chance at life,” said Kate Stepaniak.
The drive is scheduled for Sunday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley (3021 Madison Road). All donors will get a “Love Thy Neighbor” t-shirt
Cara Nicolas, spokesperson for Hoxworth Blood Center, noted the importance of community involvement in regard to the blood supply.
“If you or a loved one have ever received blood products, that blood came from a volunteer blood donor who decided to take an hour out of their day to do something selfless,” said Nicolas. “Stories like Noah’s really highlight the importance of blood donation and the impact we can have in our community. Because of the generosity of local donors, Noah was able to get the blood he needed not only to survive, but thrive.”
Appointments for the “Noah Stepaniak’s Survival” blood drive are highly encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule appointments by calling (513) 451-0910 or by scheduling online at www.hoxworth.org/groups/noah.
All This Week, Hoxworth Blood Center Offering Kings Island Tickets To Select Blood Donors
The only thing more thrilling than savings lives is spending a day at Kings Island—and this month, you have the chance to do both!
Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati will be selecting a handful of lucky donors to win Kings Island tickets from Monday, April 26 through Saturday, May 1.
All individuals who donate blood or platelets at a Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Center will be entered to win a 4-pack of tickets to Kings Island. Four winners per donor center will be chosen each day. Winners will be contacted within 3 business days following the donation, and will pick up their tickets at the Neighborhood Donor Center where they donated.
“It’s no surprise that last summer looked quite different for most of us as we grappled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alecia Lipton, spokesperson for Hoxworth Blood Center. “As vaccinations increase and life starts going back to normal, we hope that the Cincinnati community will remember to make blood donation a part of their schedule—and we’re certain that this Kings Island giveaway will inspire the community to experience the thrill of saving lives.”
According to Lipton, the upcoming summer months are often fraught with blood shortages, due to higher blood usage and low donor turnout.
Appointments for blood donation are encouraged. Donors can schedule appointments by calling (513) 451-0910 or by scheduling online at www.hoxworth.org.
