Letter to the Editor: Blood drive starts

Dear Editor:
We are Ian and Kathy Kottenstette and we are coming up on the second anniversary of the death of our four day old daughter, Makayla Jane Kottenstette. She was born on March 23, 2010, and passed on March 27, 2010. In honor of Makayla’s memory, we are continuing an annual blood drive in her name. She has forever changed our lives. I hope none of you or your loved ones are ever on the receiving end of a transfusion, however, by donating you never know who’s life you might save, or family you can provide a little hope for. I have the St. Mary’s blood mobile scheduled to come to Hospice & Palliative Care located at 3090 N. 12th St. #B in Grand Junction, Colo., on Friday, March 23 from 8-10 a.m. If you’d like to donate but aren’t able to when the bus is here, please feel free to visit the St. Mary’s Pavilion and tell them you are donating in Makayla Kottenstette’s name. There is an “Angel Garden” located outside, downstairs in the back of the garden area of Hospice. At the Angel Garden, there are a series of engraved bricks remembering the little ones lost. Hospice has agreed to donate coupons for $1 off of a breakfast at Spoons Café. We couldn’t think of a better way to honor her short life here than to give the gift of life to others. Even if you are not able to donate yourself, please pass the word on to any of your friends, family or neighbors. We’d like to see how many gallons we can raise in Makayla’s honor. It takes about 20 minutes, and can help someone in need. Or if you live out of town, ask your local medical institution if there is a way to donate there. You don’t change a life by what you get, you change a life by what you give.
We’d like to thank everyone for taking the time to hear our story and if you choose to donate blood. If donation isn’t for you, thank you for passing the word along.
Ian and Kathy Kottenstette
Colorado