“I went to work in Houlton on Christmas Eve, I awoke in Boston at Mass General on Christmas Morning.”

Calvin Brewer of Monticello is extremely thankful to be alive today. Calvin lost his left arm up to his bicep in a tragic accident on Christmas Eve of 2005. Calvin’s arm got caught in a screen conveyor machine that is used to move boards through the mill. Without the first aid training that Calvin received as a boy scout along with the quick thinking and level headed actions of his co-workers at Louisiana Pacific. In addition to many life saving American Red Cross blood donors, Calvin would not be with us today.

Calvin’s injury was so traumatic that two of his co-workers had to go along with the ambulance - one to drive it and one to hold his tourniquet in place while the EMTs worked to keep Calvin alive. Calvin is not sure exactly how many units of blood he received but he is extremely thankful that it was available when he needed it.

Calvin’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. Doctors told him that in ten days he had gotten back more function than most people get in six months. Calvin’s dad put him to work this summer throwing bales of hay. He also rejoined his softball team and had a whopping batting average of 585!!!

Calvin returned to work in June and is training to be a shift supervisor. He is very appreciative of all the support he has received from Louisiana Pacific and all of his co-workers.

Calvin has adapted to handling many tasks with one hand. He built a truck this past summer from the ground up and has been learning to use his new Myo-Electric Bionic Arm. Calvin lives in Monticello, Maine with his ten-year-old son Chase. Thanks also go out to Calvin’s dad Carleton Brewer who was a regular blood donor from age 18 to 60.

Red Cross blood donors help patients just like Calvin in cities and towns throughout New England and across the United States. Please….give blood.

Patient Stories