Memorial Blood Drive has Highest Turnout Yet

On Friday, March 27, 2026, the ARUP Blood Services donor center in Sandy, Utah, served as the site of a family reunion. During the last week of March each year, the Hussey and Shober families gather to host a memorial blood drive in honor of Heather Hussey Shober, who died in 2019 while giving birth to her third child.

“It really is good for our family,” Nancy Hussey, Heather’s mother, said. “When you lose someone, you want to make a difference, if you can, for someone else, and it's also good for our grandchildren to see friends and family donating in the memory of their mom.”

Shober suffered from an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during childbirth, a complication in which amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream. It can be a normal part of childbirth, but in one out of every 40,000 deliveries in the United States, the mother experiences a life-threatening reaction, similar to anaphylactic shock. Researchers don’t yet know why AFEs occur. They aren’t predictable, they are incredibly challenging to diagnose, and they require a large supply of whole blood and platelets to treat.

Despite emergency measures, the AFE claimed Heather’s life, leaving her husband, Nick Shober, and their combined families in shock and with a healthy newborn daughter to care for. Afterward, they sought answers and aid from the AFE Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting families affected by AFE complications. Now, on or around AFE Awareness Day, March 27, each year, the Shobers and Husseys host a memorial blood drive. This year’s event boasted an all-time high of 97 donors. Nick said such turnouts are humbling.

“I feel like, a lot of times when someone dies, the support kind of dwindles off after a certain amount of time,” Nick said. “With this drive, even people that didn't know Heather come out and support us. I think Heather would be grateful to them.”

Heather’s parents said they feel the annual drive is worth the work needed to advertise it. After seeing the amount of blood and platelets needed for Heather’s treatment, they learned the importance of keeping blood products stocked and available for such emergencies.

Mitch Hussey, Heather’s brother, said he typically donates in his home state of New York, but this year, he flew out to Utah to participate in-person with his family. “I think until you have a personal experience where someone you love really needs blood, it's something you don't really think about. And then, once it does impact you and you realize how many people are in the hospital going through things, it helps you understand the urgency behind it,” he said.

Call 801-584-5272 today or visit our donor portal to find out how you, too, can donate. To arrange a blood drive in honor of someone you love, refer to our Organize a Blood Drive page.