Blood Donor Wins ARUP Raffle for Taylor Swift Concert Tickets

Donna Mills, University of Utah student and regular blood donor at ARUP Blood Services, recently won two tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert on October 26 in New Orleans, LA. ARUP Blood Services held the raffle as an incentive for whole blood and platelet donations throughout 2024, and 27,000 donors were entered.

Donna, who is now 21, has been donating whole blood and platelets with ARUP Blood Services since she was 16 years old. Before winning the concert tickets, Donna had heard about the raffle but never thought she would win.

"I was floored," Donna said. "At first, I almost felt like I was being scammed. It felt so impossible that I couldn't believe it was really happening."

When she heard the news that she would receive two tickets, she knew she was going to take her mom, Samantha Mills, to the concert with her. Donna and Samantha have bonded over listening to Taylor Swift for years.

"I've been blasting Taylor Swift since she was tiny. Every time she had a breakup, we would play Taylor Swift. So yeah, we're pretty big Swifties," Samantha said.

Donna and Samantha are thrilled about winning the concert tickets. Earlier this year, they saw the Eras Tour concert film at the movie theater but never imagined they would have the chance to see it in person.

"We tried to have a positive attitude, but it was kind of a bummer to think that we weren't going to be able to see the Eras Tour," Samantha said. She smiled and added, "And then somebody won tickets."

Samantha is proud of her daughter for donating blood. "I have a heart condition that prevents me from donating. I wish I could," she said. "Every time she [Donna] donates, it warms my heart."

Blood donations hit close to home for Donna and Samantha's family. Donna was initially inspired to donate after her mom's life was saved by blood donors.

When Donna was 14, her mom gave birth to twins and had medical complications that required a transfusion. Donna said, "I was in the room when she hemorrhaged while giving birth. I wanted to donate so that I could give her my blood." She couldn't donate at her age, and, luckily, the doctors had enough blood supply to give Samantha the transfusion she needed to survive. This moment left a lasting impression on Donna, who started donating as soon as she could at 16 and has been a frequent donor since.

"I want to be able to save other people's moms and loved ones, just like someone else saved my mom," Donna said. Her dad later needed a transfusion due to a heart complication. "Neither of my parents would be here right now if it wasn't for donors."

Urging those who are able to donate, Samantha said, "Save someone's mom. Save someone's dad. Don't let a child go without a parent or a parent without a child. We need donors."

Donna exclusively donates whole blood and platelets with ARUP Blood Services, which is the sole provider to the University of Utah Health system. She chose ARUP as her donation center because ARUP donations were used in Samantha's transfusion. "She gave birth at the University Hospital, so they went through ARUP. That's why I only donate with ARUP," Donna said. "They saved my mom's life."

Since she started donating at 16, Donna has donated at least six times a year, about every other month. Whole blood donors must wait 56 days between donations. She donates at ARUP's Sandy location. ARUP also has a location at their main campus in Research Park.

Donna highly recommends donating with ARUP, especially for people who are afraid to donate.

"I hate needles, and I have really bad anxiety. I have to have someone there with me to hold my hand and keep me calm," Donna said. The ARUP phlebotomists, "always make room for them, and I've never felt judged for that."

ARUP Blood Services is always running promotions to reward new and existing donors. Learn more about how you can help at utahblood.org.

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