Summerville woman using grief as a catalyst to help others

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — The blood donations of a Summerville woman has measured in the gallons since the death of her son.

“Love is the strongest force, so I try to live that,” Becky Sharpe said. “Live through love, and donating blood is a part of that.”

Sharpe donates blood twice yearly in honor of her son, Ian, who died in a work accident in 2000 in Georgia. She said she first considered taking “concrete actions” after attending The Compassionate Friends meetings, which provide support to families following the death of a child.

“It became a series of physical connections with my son. When the needle goes in, it pinches a little bit, but in my mind, I kind of translate that to one of Ian’s bear hugs,” she said.

Sharpe said her type of blood is suitable for newborns, premature babies, and people who are immunocompromised.

“I have no doubt when we meet again that all these questions that I have will be answered,” she said. “Maybe he’ll say, ‘you see this kid over here? Here’s one of the kids that you helped. Or, you see this one down here under the clouds, down below, running around? That’s one of the kids that your blood helped to save.”