Blood donors gave me life

At age 11, I was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disorder called aplastic anemia.

This disease occurs in only one to two people per million yearly. Essentially, my bone marrow had stopped working and my body was no longer producing any blood cells.

This left me susceptible to bleeding to death from a paper cut to dying from a simple cold.

Various trial treatments and chemotherapy were given to me in hopes something would work, however, nothing did.

Eventually, my parents were informed that I had three months to live.

I received numerous blood transfusions daily (whole blood and platelets).

One day, I experienced a severe seizure causing massive bleeding and it placed me in a coma. During the seizure, I required 50 units of blood to keep me alive.

I coded several times and it was during this time, that I believe I had a near-death experience.

After I was stabilized, doctors informed my family that I may remain in a coma for 15 years and even if I woke up, I would be in a vegetative state.

I believe I experienced a miracle during this time, woke up 12 hours later and slowly began to improve on my own over the next few years.

By the grace of God and mercy of hundreds of blood donors, I am still here today as a proud wife and mother.

Becoming a wife and mom has brought so much love and joy in my life and that is only possible thanks to the hundreds of strangers who gave me life.

I hope to promote awareness for the ongoing need for blood. So please, join me by booking your appointment to donate blood and let’s help make more family memories possible.

Samar Nohra, Windsor