You never know when you or someone you love will need blood.
That statement is all too true for Rebecca Blakely [Bashforth] née Brown. A traumatic car accident in 1974 threw Rebecca from the vehicle directly into oncoming traffic, causing extensive internal bleeding and injuries, including broken ribs and emergency surgery to remove her spleen. She received five blood transfusions that gave, then 20-year-old Rebecca another chance at a full life.
“You just think to yourself. You never know when it’s going to be your day, your time. But multiple strangers were there for me. And I’ll never forget that kindness. I would have died. Those blood donors saved my life and I’m incredibly grateful.”
For many years, Rebecca donated blood every October 4th — the anniversary of her accident — and on Good Friday. She still visits the hospital that cared for her with treats to thank the staff.
Rebecca made a career as a teacher and theater director and is a gallon-club blood donor. She truly believes that caring for the health and wellness of humans and animals is a responsibility we all share. Blood donation and giving financially to local nonprofits such as her parish church, the San Diego Humane Society, and San Diego Blood Bank were ways she could do her part.
In 2002, Rebecca was reminded, once again, the importance of blood donation. Her mother Marlyn needed a blood transfusion for an open-heart, valve-replacement surgery that would save her life. Rebecca wanted to donate blood for her mother alongside the community who rallied together, but unfortunately, she was no longer eligible. However, that didn’t stop her from paying it forward through philanthropy.
Rebecca has been a proud financial supporter for more than 25 years, contributing to the funding of equipment, supplies, and resources. Recently, her capacity to give changed and she was able to make an even greater impact. In June 2021, Rebecca pledged $18,000 to start a matching gift challenge to fund the purchase of a Trima Accel® Automated Blood Collection System for the new Liberty Station [Donor Center] in Point Loma. The campaign was successful, with financial donors contributing $19,155 towards the match and collectively raising $37,155. Thanks to Rebecca Blakely Brown’s continued support, thousands of lives will be saved through platelet, plasma, and red blood cell donations.
“We need to support one another. In a crisis, we need each other even more so. Thanks to the generosity of blood donors, my mother and I live such full lives. I was already supporting San Diego Blood Bank with a monthly gift and I really wanted to give more now that I am finally able to. When the Liberty Station temporary location opened during COVID-19 with plans to build a permanent facility there, and there was a need for critical equipment, I thought I could help with that.”
From blood donation to monthly financial donations to a major matching gift, Rebecca continues to be a beacon of strength, a dedicated community member and survivor, and a charitable philanthropist helping to fuel the health and wellness of our region. San Diego Blood Bank is grateful for her support of our mission to save lives.
“My financial investment would directly help save lives. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it, about what my gift could do for someone else, for San Diego.”
Join the Visionary Circle with your $25 monthly gift and receive a special edition stainless steel tumbler as a token of our appreciation.
Questions about Financial Giving?
Contact Cherryl Castro-Lector, Director of Development at cclector@sdbb.org or call (619) 400-8214.
*Since this publication, Rebecca Blakely Brown’s name has been changed to Rebecca Blakely Bashforth.
Now in 2025, Rebecca continues to be a financial supporter and has contributed additional matching gifts in 2023 and 2024, helping to fund vital vehicles such as a new bloodmobile. Thank you, Rebecca for your generous support!
Originally Published in the Print Edition of the 2020-2021 Impact Report.
