Brian Boyle, a local resident of Southern Maryland, last weekend  wanted to run along the streets of the city that helped him learn to walk again.

He doesn't mind the pain of the 26.2-mile Under Armour Baltimore Marathon. He has had more than his share in the past five years.

The St. Mary's College of Maryland senior has no illusions about placing among the elite finishers in the 4,000-runner field. Just hearing his heart thump and feeling his lungs expand and contract means more than the feeling of breaking the tape at the finish line.

"I'll be there to celebrate life," Boyle says. "I want to say 'Thank you' to the city of Baltimore, the American Red Cross, and the blood donors for what it's done for me."
 
"He's the poster child for blood donations," says Mike Zabko, CEO Southern Maryland Chapter near Boyle's home in Welcome in Charles County. "He didn't wake up that morning five years ago knowing an accident would require massive numbers of transfusions to save his life. (over 36 in all)  No one knows that. But we need donors to be there for us."

In July 2004, a 10-wheel dump truck broadsided Boyle's car as he drove home from swimming practice, hitting it with such force that his chest almost exploded. Boyle's heart was dislodged, he had broken ribs, clavicle and pelvis, and as emergency workers struggled to free him from the wreckage and get him to the hospital, he lost 60 percent of his blood. The trauma team at Prince George's Hospital Center debated the wisdom of trying to piece Boyle back together. But Dr. Said Daee urged his colleagues to work with him.

Boyle required more than 36 transfusions and was in a coma for two months. Since then, he has competed in eleven triathlons and one marathon while juggling a full academic schedule with the rigors of writing a book, "Iron Heart," about his will to survive and the people who helped him. He has shaved four hours off his triathlon time and his weakest event - cycling - has become his strongest.

Every day we need blood donors in Southern Maryland so that we are ready should you or a loved one end up like Brian Boyle and need more that 36 blood transfusions after an accident.  Make sure that we are ready--- donate today.  You can find all the blood drives in Southern Maryland by accessing our Web site Http://SouthernMaryland.RedCross.org