The vital nature of blood donation never became so apparent to the O’Bryan family as it did when their son Brady, 27, an elite triathlete and the UCLA Triathlon Coach, was critically injured on November 8, 2015 participating in a triathlon in Venice, Florida. This highly-trained athlete was powerless to avoid colliding with an SUV turning directly in his path, nearly ending his life. 

Brady’s injuries included multiple broken bones, one completely crushed lung and the other collapsed, and both with holes from his fractured ribs. His spleen and liver were also lacerated. 

AND he lost almost half his blood. 

A highly durable bike helmet, EMS, the incredible trauma team at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and blood donors all contributed to saving his life. AND so did financial donors. 

The gift of blood and platelets are priceless and Brady’s story is a daily reminder that you never know when someone will need this precious gift. Our financial donors also support our mission by allowing us to have the cutting edge technology, vital to keeping the community blood supply safe and available.