Erick Chandler never expected to be someone in need of help, but a sudden ranch accident turned his world upside down.
“It’s amazing how many people were involved, you know, to keep me here.”
On what started as an ordinary morning in October 2019, Chandler headed out to work on his land, unaware that his life was about to change forever. Something about the day just didn’t sit right with him.
“Everything was just wrong. I mean just the whole morning started off, if that makes sense,” Erick said.
Erick’s gut feeling was spot on. A freak accident quickly turned a normal day into a life-or-death emergency. He was thrown from his horse, and in the process, the saddle horn impaled his inner thigh, severing his femoral artery.
"As soon as he hit me, I mean it was the most excruciating pain I had ever felt,” Erick explained.
Thankfully, Erick’s father-in-law was nearby. He jumped into action, using a belt as a tourniquet and immediately calling 911. Within moments, Erick was rushed by MediFlight to a hospital in Oklahoma City.
“I knew that they had blood on board, and I knew that he was going to be in good hands,” said Lea Ann Chandler.
As doctors worked to save Erick’s life, his wife, Lea Ann, remained by his side through it all. She described those early hours as a blur.
“Stayed with him sunup to sundown. Never left him alone. Just tried to make him feel comfortable and get him through it.” Lea Ann said.
Doctors initially feared Erick might lose his leg. But against the odds, and thanks to the fast response, advanced medical care and 23 units of blood products—he pulled through. His life, and his leg, were saved.
“There are very few things that we can give selflessly in life. But blood is actually something that you can give that creates life and maintains life and saves life,” Erick said.
“Time can't pay for a person's life. Taking that hour out of your day to go give blood, to save someone, is something that, thank you is not enough. There's nothing that can ever repay that,” Lea Ann said.
That deep sense of gratitude has since fueled the Chandler family’s passion for blood donation. Because someone gave, Erick’s story didn’t end that day. He got to go home, to his wife, Lea Ann, and their two beautiful daughters.
“Without blood, nothing happens,” Erick said.
Their appreciation continues to grow with time.
"The further removed I am from it, the more clear I see it. Without that blood, I wouldn’t be here.”
Erick’s story is a powerful reminder that blood donations don’t just save lives, they give families more time, more memories and more moments that matter.
