Blood donations save baby

It’s fair to say most people who donate blood know it’s a good thing to do. But they give little thought to what happens after the cookie and juice. The truth is, many families, like the Clark’s in Dundas, think about the contributions of blood donors everyday. They are the recipients of this life saving gift. Maria Hayes has their story.

Nolan Clark could be described as a helicopter sibling. The 10-year old happily dotes on his brother Nicholas, who is 6-years younger. It’s like Nolan’s protective instincts were born out of the challenges Nicholas faced at birth: “He was 12 weeks early. And he weighed 2 lbs. 1 oz. He was so frail we couldn’t hold him. But if you could he would just fit in the palm of your hand.”

His premature birth was the start of a 98-day stay at the McMaster Children’s Hospital. Nicholas was so tiny he had trouble feeding. He had trouble breathing. And that wasn’t all: “One of the biggest challenges he faced is that he was not making his own red blood cells. His hemoglobin levels dropped dangerously low and he needed to have a blood transfusion.”

Shannon Clark says her son was so fortunate, and she was so thankful that someone had taken the time to donate. Something she had done multiple times herself: “I did it through work and it was just easy. My co-workers were doing it. And it seemed like the right thing to do. But I never really made the connection with the person who was receiving it until I was on the other end of that.”

For the last 2-years Shannon has been helping people make that connection. Publicly telling Nicholas’ story. In person, and through a video. In the end, her son needed 2 transfusions. Both came from a single donation: “So that donor saved his life twice.”

But the number of donors is discouraging. Only 4% of Canadians take that time: “It’s something we all need to think about. And if we’re able to do it we have to consider being a donor because it does save people’s lives.”

For a list of blood donor clinics in your area, visit the Canadian Blood Services website.

http://www.blood.ca/centreapps/clinics/InetClinics.nsf/CVSE?OpenForm&CloseMenu