Grieving parents urge
VANCOUVER • The parents of a soldier who was severely wounded in Afghanistan hope Canadians will remember the sacrifices of military personnel by donating blood in November.
The British Columbia and Yukon branch of the Canadian Blood Services has launched the Remember the Power of Giving campaign, inspired by Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick.
The Prince George, B.C., resident was wounded on March 6, 2010 while serving with international forces in Afghanistan.
A series of blood transfusions in Germany prolonged the 21-year-old’s life for two weeks and allowed his family to see him.
“He was actually conscious and talking and got to tell his brothers that he loved them,” said his mother, Colleen Fitzpatrick.
Her son’s wish to be returned home to Canada was granted, and he made it as far as Edmonton on March 16, 2010. He died there the next day.
Colleen Fitzpatrick said supporting Canadian Blood Services is the family’s opportunity to share her son’s story and to pay it forward.
“We understand the significance of the two weeks we got to spend with Darren,” she said, calling that time a precious gift.