Pearl Celebrates Her Seventh Birthday Thanks to Blood Donors

On July 29, 2024, the Hartley family’s world was turned upside down. Six-year-old Pearl was the victim of a tragic dog attack that left her fighting for her life. Her mother, Alesha Hartley, bravely threw herself over Pearl to shield her from further harm, then carried her blood-soaked daughter up a hill to safety.  

Pearl’s sister administered CPR as her dad drove to meet an ambulance, while Alesha held her close, wrapped in a blanket, whispering words of love and encouragement: “Fight, Pearl. Don’t leave us.” 

A Recovery Nothing Short of a Miracle

Every second counted. Pearl had lost a large amount of blood. At Springfield Mercy Hospital, the trauma team stabilized her with two units of red blood cells and one unit of plasma. Her injuries were extensive, with over 100 puncture wounds across her 45-pound body, and two-thirds of the gastric muscle in her left leg were removed. Once stable, Pearl was life-flighted to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City for specialized care on a nicked artery in her neck and the extensive damage to her legs. 

Pearl’s recovery was nothing short of a miracle. Her little body endured infection after infection, battled mold, depression, and fear. She received five red blood cell transfusions, three plasma transfusions, and one platelet transfusion. These donations gave her the strength to move from sitting up in bed to using a wheelchair, then a walker, and finally to running and dancing. 

Blood Donors Made the Difference

Because of the selfless generosity of blood donors, Pearl was able to celebrate her seventh birthday surrounded by loved ones. She walked unassisted as a flower girl in her cousin’s wedding and danced joyfully with her father, moments that once seemed impossible. 

“Blood donors gave us our Pearl back,” said her mother, Alesha Hartley. “They didn’t just give blood. They gave hope, healing, and a future. Because of them, my daughter can walk, dance, and live. Thank you for being our heroes.” 

Pearl’s story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of blood donation. Her journey from trauma to triumph is a testament to courage, love, and the kindness of strangers who chose to give. She could do so because of the gift of blood donation, a selfless act that makes a life-changing impact. Pearl is alive today because of the generosity of several blood donors who gave without expecting anything in return. 

Alesha Hartley shared a Bible verse that carried her through the darkest moments: 

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.”  Philippians 2:3-4 

Give Blood, Save Lives

Your blood donation makes a real, tangible impact in the lives of your very own community. Your gift may help a trauma victim, a cancer patient, or even those with chronic, undiagnosed issues that need blood transfusions to just keep going while they find answers.

There are a lot of easy, convenient ways to give blood! You can check to see if you live close to a permanent donation center, or there may be a mobile drive coming up in your local area. Click the links -below to find the best place to donate, reach out to us on social media, or call 417-227-5000 for help finding a blood drive near you.