Back to Blood Recipient Stories

A Jewel in the Adirondacks

Liza Maio

For years, Liza Maio has been a vibrant force recruiting blood donors in the North Country. Her energy and enthusiasm make the blood drives she plans in Old Forge a success. Planning these blood drives is just one activity that keeps this generous octogenarian busy. She also volunteers with AARP and enjoys reading to children at the local library. So Liza Maio was dismayed in the summer of 2002 when she was feeling under the weather for several weeks. Her daily activities were becoming less and less enjoyable.

Finally, after seven weeks of poor health, Liza had her sister take her to the hospital. The physicians at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Utica treated Liza for life-threatening dehydration. Her electrolytes were depleted and she was over-medicated. During her one week hospital stay, Liza received transfusions of red blood cells to help restore her health. The many hours she spent helping others by recruiting blood donors had ended up helping save her own life.

Her gentle smile and kind eyes are always a welcome sight for blood donors. And now, there’s a great deal of gratitude in those eyes. Gratitude for the anonymous blood donors who helped save her life.