Blood donations, new heart saved my baby
Editor’s note: The annual Telegram Saves Lives campaign runs until Saturday. 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. Cheryl Andrews of Garnish submitted this one.
How do you thank the strangers who gave your loved one a second chance at life? Thank you is not enough for those who helped my daughter receive a new heart and benefit from countless blood donations.
Claire was born with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She required a three-stage surgery to repair it. Claire was only eight days old when she had her first open heart surgery.
Unfortunately, Claire was in heart failure just before the second stage of surgery. She went into cardiac arrest for 45 minutes and ended up on life support for five days. Once she was stable, Claire was reassessed, and her medical team decided her best chance for survival was a heart transplant. Claire waited five months for a heart to become available.
Claire received her transplant on Nov. 24, 2016. During her hospital stays, she received numerous blood transfusions, which wouldn’t have been possible without blood donors. In fact, Claire received so many blood transfusions that we couldn’t keep track.
Not only are we grateful for the countless strangers who donated blood, we realize the crucial and difficult decision one family had to make to guarantee Claire’s survival. When we learned that Claire would need a heart transplant, we went through a lot of emotions. At first, all you think is that another child has to die in order for yours to live, but after going through this journey, you realize that it’s the most selfless, heroic decision a family can make. In their darkest days, going through every parents’ nightmare, they are choosing to save other lives.
There are approximately 4,400 Canadians waiting for a lifesaving organ or tissue transplant. Not everyone in need of a vital organ receives a transplant.
When I think of Claire’s donor, even now almost three years later, I’m at a loss for words. Because of Claire’s donor, she had her first birthday, she reached milestones, she plays with her siblings, goes to ballet, music lessons and preschool. Claire gets to live her life. All because a family chose organ donation.
To those who have not signed their organ donor card — please make your wishes known. Sign the form, speak to your family. You or someone you know may need a selfless act like we did.
In September, our family partnered with Canadian Blood Services to host a blood donation event in Marystown in Claire’s honour. We wanted to thank all the blood donors in Newfoundland and Labrador who dedicate their time to donate.
We had a lot of friends and family donate because of Claire — some for the first time. It could be someone you know who needs blood next, and the best way to help is to ensure blood will be on hand to save his or her life.
In their darkest days, going through every parents’ nightmare, they are choosing to save other lives.