Brian Peight
Survivor

On July 25, 2006, a young newlywed by the name of Brian Peight was driving home from work on Highway 20 near Freeport. It was raining very hard that night and the visibility was poor. It was so poor, in fact, that Brian didn't see an oncoming car cross the center line until it was too late.

The resulting head-on collision left Brian with serious multiple injuries. He spent eight weeks in the hospital: six of them in a medically induced coma. Brian's hospital treatment required more than 50 units of blood.

Over the following year, he endured several follow-up surgeries that required 50 more units. In total, Brian's treatments have required more than 100 units of blood.

His road to recovery has been long and difficult, and it has not been without its setbacks. But Brian is a survivor.

He says the comfort, love and support he received from his family and friends was inspiring. Just two weeks after the accident, while Brian lay in the hospital, those who love him organized a blood drive at the store where he worked, Noller's Food Pride grocery store in Lena, Illinois. The response was overwhelming. 73 units of blood were collected that day.

Since that day, Brian's family has committed to organizing blood drives each year. Brian says it feels great to be involved in organizing the drives, even though he himself, at this writing, is still not medically cleared to give because of his injuries. Nobody in Brian's family gave blood before his accident, but many do now: including his mom, dad, wife, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He will give blood some day, though; he's certain of that. And he looks forward to it with great anticipation for the deep sense of satisfaction he says he's sure he'll feel. He knows how good it will feel to help save a life.

What does Brian remember about that day in July of 2006? He remembers that he fixed the washing machine at home that day. That's about it. He remembers plenty about his recovery, though - and often thinks of those who gave a little of themselves to make his survival and recovery possible.

When we spoke to Brian just a few days before Thanksgiving, 2008, he told us it's a holiday that has an entirely new meaning to him now. He wants to say, "thanks," to everyone who has ever given blood before. He wants you to know you truly have made a difference in somebody's life; and he's living proof.