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Mitch and Janelle Koehl have a deep and personal appreciation for the life-saving power of blood donation. Their journey began when Janelle was diagnosed with leukemia on August 23, 2023. Just days later, they found themselves at Mayo Clinic, where Janelle began chemotherapy and needed blood transfusions due to low hemoglobin levels.
Throughout her treatment, Janelle required a significant amount of blood products, including red blood cells and platelets. At times, her body would reject platelets, requiring her to receive specially matched donations. “It got to the point where on a Friday night they’d note that they had received three bags of matched platelets to get me through the weekend,” Janelle recalls.
This experience profoundly impacted Mitch, who had never donated blood before. “I was too much of a wimp,” Mitch admits. But seeing firsthand the importance of blood donations, he felt compelled to give. “As I’m watching all of this, I realized I really need to give blood. I continued to give whole blood and then platelets.” Mitch proudly earned his gallon pin before leaving town when Janelle’s treatment concluded.
Janelle and Mitch are incredibly thankful for the donors who made her treatment possible. “We just want to thank these donors, as without their products, I wouldn’t be here,” Janelle says. The experience has given them both a new perspective on blood donation. “It’s an easy way to save a life,” Mitch adds. “There are people like us who every day are in situations like ours and are in need of blood.”
The Koehls’ story is a reminder of how crucial local blood donors are and the impact they have on families like theirs.
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