Saved by strangers
Editor’s note: The annual Telegram Saves Lives campaign runs until Oct. 20. As part of our efforts to encourage people to give blood, we’re running a series of letters from people whose lives were changed by blood donation. Janice Davidson of Clarenville submitted this one.
Our family’s story with Canadian Blood Services began 10 years ago, when I, at 34 years old, was feeling very unwell but had no idea of the seriousness of the situation.
A busy family of five, including three young children ages seven, four and 21 months old, we were just not expecting to hear the shocking news that I had an acute leukemia. Given that we live in Clarenville and treatments were all in St. John’s, before I knew it I had packed my bag and was in an ambulance with a bag of blood. It was the first of many experiences where my life depended on life-saving gifts from Canadian Blood Services and the generosity of donors.
Unfortunately, I have relapsed twice since this initial diagnosis. The first relapse was in 2011, and the treatment was an auto transplant — my own stem cells were taken from my body and given back to me after a great deal of treatment. During this time I required many platelets and red blood cells.
I relapsed again in 2013 and this time I needed an allogenic stem cell transplant which requires a donor’s stem cells and, again, many blood products and much treatment. As I did not have a match from any of my three siblings, once again we depended on Canadian Blood Services to look for a match within their donor base.
This time I knew I was definitely depending on the generosity of a stranger who not only had the same DNA antigen markers but who was registered through the One Match system and willing to donate to save my life.
On July 26th, 2013, my husband Ian and I waited for this precious life-saving gift to arrive in Halifax. It is difficult to describe the grateful feelings we have for our donor who gave of themselves and their time, as well as for the volunteers and staff who made sure these precious stem cells arrived for me in a timely and safe manner, and all who make this complex gift a reality through the Canadian Blood Services One Match program.
At the time we had no idea who our donor was, but two years later we were able to connect and I now am in contact with Yves, my own hero, a 23-year-old man from Germany who gave of his time and blood to save my life.
I am grateful for each day that I am able to continue to raise my family and lead an active lifestyle. I am thankful for every gift of blood I’ve received over the years.
As people go about their busy lives, I understand how difficult it can be to fit in a blood donation or sign up for One Match, but I hope it helps to remember stories like my family’s. Our lives have depended on the generosity of others.
A huge thank you to everyone who continues to offer hope by giving of themselves in this amazing way and ultimately saving lives like mine.