As the Town prepares to host another blood donation clinic, you may wonder about the beneficiaries of this life-saving act. This month, Canadian Blood Services shares three success stories of young citizens who benefit from generous donors who participate in clinics such as the one planned for May 11 in Kingsville.
Each person who comes out to donate blood truly makes all the difference in the life of a patient in need.
Pictured above, Liam was less than a week old when he received his first lifesaving blood transfusions during heart surgery. The years since that surgery have not been easy, but in spite of it all, this little boy is now thriving.
“He’s our whole world. He’s my best bud,” says Liam’s father.
Liam’s parents are so grateful, not only to the doctors and nurses who have provided lifesaving care, but to the blood donors who supported Liam through surgery — people they’ll never meet, but would love to thank personally.
“I’d probably give them a hug,” says Liam’s father. “I’d look them in the eye and say ‘Thank you for saving the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’ That little boy has brought so much joy to our lives.”
Click here to read more about Liam’s journey.
From almost the moment he was born, Eric Polo has depended on blood donors, and he will rely on them for the rest of his life. Since that first blood transfusion, Eric has had hundreds more, all related to a life-threatening medical condition called Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
“Really, blood donors are our heroes,” says Daphne. “Without them, Eric wouldn’t have lived more than a few weeks. He’s probably had more than 200 blood transfusions, so there are more than 200 people who have saved his life.
“Every transfusion gives us one more month together. It gives me one more month with my son, gives Eric’s sister one more month with her brother, and gives Eric one more month to live and laugh and experience his life.”
Click here to read Eric’s story.
They say that a split second can change your life forever. That was certainly the case for this Canadian family in spring of 2020. It was mid-afternoon and Leslie Bangamba was loading her dishwasher, when her 18-month-old daughter Amélie suddenly collapsed.
Upon admission, an X-ray revealed a foreign object had been ingested and was wreaking havoc on her tiny body. An extensive cardiac surgery determined that the foreign object Amélie had swallowed was a button battery.
“In the operating room alone, Amélie received 4.2 litres of blood. Without blood donors, our little girl wouldn’t have survived!” said Leslie (Amélie’s Mom). Amélie was in the ICU for 11 days and received a plethora of transfusions, draining old blood from surgery and replacing lost platelets. Amélie is now home, happy and dancing, thanks to blood donors.
If you’ve ever wondered about donating blood, platelets, plasma or stem cells, a good place to start your research is at Canadian Blood Services. To find out more about donation, eligibility to donate or to read more success stories, you’ll find all the information you need on their website.
If you’re ready to donate, Kingsville will be hosting a clinic on May 11 at the Grovedale Arts & Cultural Centre between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m..
Please book your appointment by visiting blood.ca.
Photos courtesy of Canadian Blood Services