This Valentine's Day, 2009, Cowles celebrated his survival of a ruptured aortic aneurism by meeting many of the 59 donors whose contribution kept Cowles alive one year ago. In an emotional reunion, Cowles thanked those donors, as well as the EMTs, doctors, nurses and blood bank technicians whose combined efforts kept him alive after his aorta ruptured.

A remarkable story
Bob Cowles' story is one of timing, faith, chance and professional acumen, all of which combined to save this life. And, blood, the 69 units of blood that was pumped into his body before the day's end. Blood that came from the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank.

That morning, the EMTs could have been much longer than they were answering the 9-1-1 call. But as chance would have it, they were answering another call just three doors down from where the Cowles lived. When they arrived at 7:15 am, Bob was in terrible trouble. They could not find a pulse and his blood pressure was 59/48.

Quickly, the EMTs managed to start IVs and transport him to local Doctors Hospital. He arrived there where, as chance would have it, cardiologist John Puleo was present.

According to Dr. Puleo, the working diagnosis was heart attack. "If we had treated Bob for a heart attack, he would have died," Dr. Puleo said in front of a group of donors, doctors, nurses, technicians and Cowles family. "Instead, I ordered an esophageal echocardiogram, which showed an ascending aortic dissection from the aortic root - certainly a life-threatening diagnosis. As I told Mrs. Cowles, 'this can be fixed, but I don't know if we have time.'"

In this perfect storm of circumstances, an EMS crew was immediately available to transport Cowles to regional Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he was rushed into surgery in extremis. Heading the team was thoracic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Schiro. "The only way we could do this was because of the blood bank. If we didn't have the right blood products on the shelf, the surgery wouldn't have worked," he said. Twelve hours later - and 69 units of blood - later, Bob Cowles had survived.

What were his chances? Less than 20 percent of those diagnosed with a ruptured thoracic aneurysm survive, and less then 3 percent with Cowles severity survive.

Today, Bob Cowles celebrated Valentine's Day and the one year anniversary of his medical event, on a date that just happens to be the 60th anniversary of Suncoast Communities Blood Bank. CEO Dr. Mark Magenheim reflected that 60 years ago, only 1 - 2 units of blood were needed each day. Currently, the Blood Bank requires 100 units to meet the needs of this community.

Blood recipients rarely have the opportunity to meet and thank their donors. That changed today. Life-long donor Roger Courtois said, "I am honored to be one and represent the 59 people who unknowingly saved Bob's life. That's the thing about donating blood. You do it because it's the right thing to do, and to know that you played a part in saving a life is just icing on the cake."

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