Family of local Rumpke driver hit by car hosts blood drive with Hoxworth to give back

A local man who survived being hit by a car last fall hosted a blood drive with Hoxworth Blood Center to give back to the community and support the local blood supply.  

Noah Stepaniak, a driver for Rumpke, was hit by a drunk driver in the early morning hours of Oct. 2, 2019 while on his route in Delhi.

“The Iliac artery in his left leg was severed in two places and he also had internal bleeding,” recalls Kate Reverman, Noah’s fiancée. “The first responders had to use a tourniquet on his leg to help stop some of the bleeding the best they could. Once Noah was transported to UC, we were told he was not expected to survive, due to the amount of blood loss.”

Noah spent 26 days in the hospital and had multiple surgeries in the months following the accident, requiring several blood transfusions. He lost his left leg above the knee, suffered kidney damage, a broken arm and an injury to his right knee.

Four months later, Noah is recovering and is planning a spring wedding with his fiancée and just finished planning a blood drive celebrating his survival. The drive took place on Saturday, Feb. 15. 

“Once I was able to grasp everything that was happening and was able to realize all of the amazing people and blood product that was able to save his life, I knew it was now our turn to show our gratitude and help replenish the blood product that was used to save Noah’s life, in hopes to save others,” says Kate Reverman.  “It is an absolute honor to be working with Hoxworth, setting up this successful blood drive, to bring awareness to the fact that blood donation is needed. Donating blood saves lives of the people we love.”

Cara Nicolas, spokesperson for Hoxworth Blood Center, noted the importance of community involvement in regards to the blood supply.

“There is no artificial substitute for blood. It has to come from volunteer donors, and we need people to donate regularly so that there is blood on the shelf and ready to go at a moment’s notice,” said Nicolas. “Because of the generosity of local donors, Noah was able to get the blood he needed to survive.”

“I will forever be grateful to the people who donated their blood so my fiancé could get a second chance at life,” said Reverman. 

The Honoring Noah Stepaniak's Survival blood drive collected over 65 units of lifesaving red blood cells, which will be used in area hospitals.