THE GIFT OF LIFE
A3 You never know who will need a blood donation.
Last September, the Mahingan family received a gift for which they will always be thankful — a blood transfusion for their baby girl Jadah.
Kimberly Rosling and Jamie Mahingan were thrilled after having three sons to finally have a daughter.
“She’s our princess,” said Kimberly.
Soon after Jadah was born, she was diagnosed with Aspert syndrome, a condition that caused the bones to fuse together in her feet hands and skull.
Last September, Jadah needed surgery on her skull.
“The doctor had told us she was going to need a blood transfusion during her surgery because it was going to take quite a few hours to complete,” said Rosling.
It was then the reality of the importance of blood donation hit the mother of four.
While doctors in Edmonton at the Stollery Children’s Hospital operated on Jadah, Rosling and her mother walked across the street to the Canadian Blood Services clinic and donated blood.
“I figured someone had donated blood to save my daughter’s life so I thought we could return the favour,” said Rosling. “I didn’t know how important it was to donate blood until someone did it for my daughter. As a mother, you want to do anything you can for your child and be there to protect them and keep them safe. Someone took the time to donate blood for my baby girl and I think I can do the same for someone else.”
She encourages others to consider donating because “you never know who needs it.”
Rosling and her husband have been donating blood regularly since.
“We live an hour and a half north of Regina, so we travel quite a ways to come donate,” she said.
On Friday, the couple, along with Jadah, was at the Regina blood donor clinic where they brought two friends, who are first-time donors, to donate blood. Every three months Rosling and Mahingan make the trip to Regina and make a donation in Jadah’s name.
Rosling has been promoting the importance of blood donation to her family and friends and has been successful in getting her mother and sisters to donate.
“It’s in you to give,” said Jamie, as he sat at a table sharing snacks with his little blond-haired, pigtailed daughter.
He said if it wasn’t for the generosity of others he may not have his baby girl.
Despite having most of her fingers fused together, she doesn’t let that slow her down.
“She’s like any normal two-year-old,” said Rosling with a laugh. “She bothers things she shouldn’t.”
Jamie said he and his wife never thought about donating before their daughter was born.
But now they have made a lifetime commitment to do just that.
“It’s really easy,” Jamie said about donating blood.
Every time he donates blood, he’s left with a good feeling about it because he knows he maybe saving someone else’s child.
Until Dec. 29, donors can have their picture taken with a personalized dedication message that will be uploaded to the province’s blood donor Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SaskatchewanBlood so donors can share their stories with others.
More than 3,200 blood donations are needed in the province by the new year. To donate, visit www.blood.ca or call 1-800-236-6283.