Be The Good

In 2013, what started as a seemingly ordinary morning for David Landes quickly spiraled into a fight for his life. After dropping his daughter off at school, David began to feel unwell. By nightfall, he was in a hospital bed, facing a devastating diagnosis—a pancreatitis attack so severe that it poisoned his other organs. His odds of survival? A mere 9%. Within 24 hours, he was placed on life support and fell into a coma, where he would remain for 3½ months, spending a total of 5½ months in the hospital.

During that time, he received an astounding 40 units of blood—enough to replenish a person’s blood supply four times over. Every unit of blood he received helped sustain him, as each unit has the potential to save three lives.

As David’s need for blood donations became urgent, his family and community rallied. That year, the blood drive was born to help David.

Recognizing how these life-saving donations sustained David through his darkest days, the Landes family felt a profound sense of gratitude. They resolved to keep the blood drive going, turning it into an annual event to give back to the community and honor those who had saved David’s life. Every year since, the event has become a celebration of life and resilience, providing a chance for the community to come together and make a difference.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. In fact, 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year, and donations are vital to maintaining a safe and stable blood supply. Despite the constant need, only a fraction of eligible donors actually give blood. David’s story highlights the crucial role that each blood donor plays—not just in a medical crisis but in providing hope to families facing life-or-death situations.

As David fought for his life, his wife, Yvonnca Landes, never left his side. Each day tested her faith in ways she could never have imagined. Most of us would have crumbled under the weight of hearing that our loved one had such slim chances. Yet, in those darkest moments, when hope felt so distant, Yvonnca clung to God. She didn’t blame Him for her circumstances; instead, she allowed Him to shape her faith and embrace her purpose, even when giving up seemed like the easier option.

I didn’t know the Landes family during David’s battle. At that time, I was struggling with my own worth, feeling unloved and drifting through life unnoticed. I thought I believed in God, yet I didn’t truly understand faith. Why would He care about me when I didn’t even care about myself?

Things didn’t get easier after I married. A year in, we faced an unexpected challenge: our landlord passed away, leaving us to find a new place to live. Money was tight, and rental prices felt insurmountable. With no other options, we began searching for a home to buy. Several coworkers recommended a real estate agent named Yvonnca Landes.

The process of finding a house took longer than expected, but looking back, I see how God had other plans. During our search, Yvonnca, her daughter Adrienne, and I formed a bond that felt like a lifeline. After we finally closed on our home, Yvonnca and I stayed in touch, transitioning from a professional connection into a deep friendship.

Yvonnca and Adrienne had recently started a Facebook live show—cooking, chatting about trending topics, and sharing their lives. They invited me to join, and despite my fears, I agreed. That night, after our show ended, Yvonnca asked if she could pray for me. It was unexpected, but I welcomed it. She placed her hand on my head and began to pray, speaking truths about my life and fears I had never voiced to anyone. In that moment, she prayed life back into my spirit.

From that day forward, everything changed. I left with hope, for the first time in a long time. I started seeking God in a way that I didn’t think was worth the effort before. Then, it was as if a floodgate opened—a new relationship with Christ and revelations about my purpose emerged. Yvonnca later shared that she felt God urging her to truly see me that night. And that is exactly what I longed for, to be seen for once. That simple act of obedience was the catalyst that transformed my life.

Only later did I learn the full story of David’s hospitalization. Yvonnca believed that David’s struggle was meant to awaken her to her calling, and once she accepted that calling, she felt God save David from the brink of death. As I listened to this miraculous story, I realized that God had orchestrated everything—not just for Yvonnca, but for me, and for everyone whose lives were touched by their journey.

God is always working, even when we can’t see Him. He fights for us, weaving stories of hope even when we feel lost. The Landes family’s story has become part of my own, forever intertwined.

As we reflect on the value of blood—both the physical and spiritual—let’s remember that Christ gave His blood for us, highlighting its immense worth. There’s always an opportunity for us to be part of someone else’s miracle.

If you are in and around the Knoxville area, join us on November 6, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the Petros on Kingston Pike (7005 Kingston Pike) for the 12th Annual Keeping the David Landes Miracle Alive Blood Drive. By giving blood, you are participating in the gift of life, embodying the love and sacrifice that Christ exemplified. Your contribution could be the lifeline someone desperately needs. Will you answer the call?