One Body Networking Founder & President, Janice Weaver, has been committed to saving lives for 10 years through community blood drives. Recently, a fund-raising event honoring, “Ten Years of Saving Lives,” saw many Houstonians show their appreciation for her non-profit organization.
The company raised $2,500 for the “Mayor Sylvester Turner Scholarship” to be awarded to a deserving college student. Weaver was previously diagnosed with a rare blood disease, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) in 2013 which unfortunately can be fatal or cause lasting damage. When not treated immediately, health concerns such as brain damage and strokes are a risk.
Weaver spent 22 days in the ICU and received several hundred units of plasma to help save her life. She was fortunate to survive and following her recovery, “she has remained dedicated to giving back and paying it forward.”
OBN continues to raise awareness in the community of how donating blood is an invaluable service. For every donator, three lives are given another opportunity in life. The foundation is built on community involvement for blood drives and scholarships for college students exemplifying community leadership. Their efforts, even during COVID-19, have aided in the quality life span for over 1,500 recipients.
The founder’s consistency in community education and pandemic relief led to recognition. In 2022, the non-profit won the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Small Heroes Award. In addition, OBN was highlighted in the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s 2023 calendar.
Weaver cites herself as dedicated community leader, a Christian and humanitarian paving roads to helping others. She diligently serves as the Director of Community Relations for the City of Houston as part of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Executive Staff. Her volunteer efforts throughout the metro area with numerous organizations has made her a true public servant.
On Jan. 28, Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed “Janice Weaver Day” honoring her philanthropic and entrepreneurial spirit.
Q&A:
What inspired the creation of One Body Networking?
I was amazed that the hospital was able to provide the plasma needed and not ask the family to donate blood. Opportunity to pay it forward.
When you were diagnosed, what do you remember feeling in terms of the longevity of your life?
Being diagnosed with the rare blood disease and being told that my life expectancy being unsure if I would survive was scary.
What are the benefits for those who do donate?
Providing adequacy for patients. It can make a difference. Regular blood donating leads to a healthier heart and vascular system. It’s also linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks.
There are people who donate blood just to get money to supplement their lives. How do we debunk that myth to keep awareness of blood donation?
Telling the story to somebody like me and others shows that there is a reality that individuals who donate can really save lives.
Describe how the Our Body Networking and community scholarships go hand-and-hand?
To ensure satisfaction for the supply and demand. This supply for patients to help make the difference we need. Someone benefits from it either way and for that, we can’t complain about the work done. We got a lot of great feedback for our event on Jan. 28 kicking off our 10-year anniversary. The funds we received did a lot of good and we’re proud of that. It brought awareness not just for those informed but was a segway for those who needed an introduction to the cause.
How do we motivate people, especially color, to give blood?
Again, sharing the stories of individuals that we know.
Your humanitarian efforts have given justice so many in need. If you were led to a different path, or choice, what would it be?
Honestly, with any organization you want to reach a new milestone. However, for OBN, we really want to set the pace using our platform for a national level.
You have an event coming up this month. Tell us more about it and how it may differ from past events?
This is the kickoff of OBN’s Blood Drive this year. We will be doing this the entire year of 2023 in different areas around the city of Houston.
What message is important to you in support of receiving more community involvement for OBN?
Encouraging individuals. For whole blood donation, the entire process (from check-in to refreshments) takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Platelet donations take between 70 minutes and 2 hours. Please visit onebodynetworking.org for more information. Also, if you want to donate at any Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center you can support by using my donor code JW13.
While giving blood is safe and simple process taking less than an hour, donating helps to prevent a poor quality of life, organ failure, stroke and even death. According to the Red Cross, African Americans only make up 13 percent of the U.S. population. However, only three percent of those donate.
There are many slogans popularized in support of blood donations. One that describes Weaver’s mission is “The gift of donating blood is the gift of being the reason someone’s heart beats.”
On Feb. 25, OBN will host their 10th annual blood drive from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Harris County MUD 15 located at 4140 W Greens Road, Houston, TX 77006.
For more information on how you can help give back, go to OneBodyNetworking.org.
