For Teddy and Ian Good, the holidays mean more cherished time together as a family — something that wouldn't be possible without the selfless generosity of blood donors.
“It’s completely changed my thought process on not taking stuff for granted,” Teddy shared.
Both Teddy and Ian owe their lives to blood donors after each faced life-threatening emergencies just a year apart.
“Have you ever met one of your blood donors before?” Ian was asked during an interview.
“I have not. No,” he replied. “I would tell them thank you because they truly did save my life.”
Ian and Teddy had no idea what was about to happen next: they were about to meet some of the very donors who saved them.
“Getting to meet Ian and his dad is truly an honor,” said Gaylynn Gary, one of Ian's blood donors.
“I guess we’re blood brothers now,” Charles Grady said while embracing Teddy, who received his blood.
Reflecting on the experience, Charles said, “I mean, it was overwhelming to know that our blood was used and that it did something.”
Ian's donor, Mark Mason, added, “It put it in the perspective that you’re just going to give blood and you don’t really think much past that. But to actually hear what happened and that it actually saved a life to make a difference was awesome.”
Teddy and Ian pictured with their blood donors. From left to right: Gaylynn Gary, Ian Good, Mark Mason, Charles Grady, Teddy Good and Brooke Good.
Altogether it took 60 units of blood to save both Ian and Teddy. Teddy’s accident took place first in June 2022, when a disassembled gun misfired, striking him.
“The bullet went through the iliac artery, went through my large intestine, my small intestine, my stomach and then lodged in my spine,” Teddy explained.
The recovery was grueling, but with support from his wife Brooke and their sons, Teddy persevered.
“I knew that Teddy was the type that he wasn’t going to settle. We’ve always pushed each other, and I knew that was the kind of wife I needed to be in those moments was a wife that was strong,” Brooke said.
Teddy sees a greater purpose in their journey. “We believe that God knows all things and that God does everything on purpose. So, I wouldn’t change it. But one reason I wouldn’t change it is because 12 months later, my youngest son walked through basically the exact same stuff.”
Just a year later, in June 2023, Ian’s knife slipped while carving a roast, severing his femoral artery.
“I didn’t know I stabbed myself. I just thought I kinda just knicked myself. I knew that it was bad because I could see the blood but I mean I wasn’t really feeling any pain,” Ian explained.
“You know, at a young age you think you’re invincible, and then you get told you have a 3% chance to live, and that kind of hits you.”
Despite the odds, Ian made a remarkable recovery, even returning to play football that fall.
“If it wasn’t for people giving it to me, then I wouldn’t be here. But the fact that it happened a year before and a greater number of people had to give it for my dad, that was amazing knowing that there was that many people giving blood to save both of us,” Ian said.
The Good family is thankful for more time together, making new memories, sharing laughter and celebrating the gift of life.
“We feel blessed in the fact that we have got to walk through on this side because we know not everybody gets that opportunity,” Brooke said.
Teddy summed up their gratitude: “I know it’s going to sound cliche. I’m excited to experience every single thing. We know that God works all things for the good of those who love him, so each and every day we count as a blessing.”
This holiday season, we are reminded that every donation holds the power to keep families together. Hospitals typically have more patients in need of blood transfusions during the winter months, so if you're able, we encourage you to give blood when you can. Ian and Teddy's stories are just two of many.
From all of us at Our Blood Institute, thank you to all of our blood donors — you make the world a better place.
