Morgan Yoney Receives Second Life-Saving Double Lung Transplant At UPMC: Donate Blood To Honor Morgan

Morgan Yoney is recovering after she received her second life-saving double lung transplant at UPMC. The 21-year-old has endured a lot in her life so far as she suffers from cystic fibrosis, TribLive Reports.

When Morgan was just 15 years old, she had to undergo a double lung transplant, as well as a liver transplant. She recovered and was doing well, but in 2013, her lungs began to reject the transplant.

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Just recently, her family was praying for a Christmas miracle. Little did they know, their prayers were going to be answered. Dan Burda, the owner of Studio Raw Salon, has supported Morgan and her family, posting signs and spreading the word about Morgan’s needs, according to WPXI.

“I think this time of year and many times in life, we need reassurance that we believe in something. For something like this to happen so close to Christmas has reinstalled a lot of faith and belief in many hearts in our community.”

Just recently, Morgan was taken back into surgery to check for rejection, as well as to close up her chest. Morgan’s Army Facebook page is asking for prayers, as she is considered to be doing well, but unstable.

She has had some bleeding issues, and has received several blood transfusions. Her family asks that anyone who is able to, go to the blood bank and donate blood in honor of Morgan. Although Morgan has O+ blood type, she is currently receiving A+ blood due to a lack of supply. Further, they ask that even though your blood may not go directly to Morgan, it will go to someone in need.

Central Blood Bank will direct you in the right direction. If you are willing to donate blood, go to their website. You will be able to locate the nearest blood bank, as well as set up an appointment.

According to their website, just 37-percent of people are eligible to donate blood. Some basic qualifications are, to donate, you must be in good overall health. You must be at least 16 years old, with parental consent for 16 and 17-year-old’s, and weigh at least 110 pounds.

In order do donate red blood cells, you must be at least 16 years old, with parental consent for minors. Further, women must be at least 5’1″ and weigh at least 150 pounds. Men, on the other hand, must be at least 5’3″ and weigh at least 130 pounds.

To donate platelets and plasma, as well as red blood and plasma, a donor must be at least 16 years old, with parental consent for minors, and weigh at least 110 pounds.

If you are interested in donating blood on a regular basis, you are required to wait at least 56 days between whole blood donations, 112 days between double red blood cell donations, and 29 days between plasma donations. You can donate platelets no more than 24 times during a year, and you must have at least 7 days in between each donation.

There are multiple health issues that could disqualify a person. Some include a recent illness, allergies, anemia, blood diseases, cancer, heart disease, chronic illnesses, HIV, hepatitis, pregnancy, skin disease, and piercings that have been done within the past 12 months. To see the entire list of disqualifications, take a look at it here.

If you are a healthy person, take some time out of your day and donate at your local blood bank. You will make a difference to so many people like Morgan, who is currently experiencing a low supply of blood donations.

Morgan’s family has started a GoFundMe page in honor of Morgan to assist with the large expenses associated with her double lung transplant. Currently, the page has acquired over $18,000 and is seeking $30,000 for this very expensive procedure and recovery.

Keep fighting Morgan! You are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Featured Image by Allen Breed/AP Images]