In 2019, just before COVID-19 changed everything, I was diagnosed with CVID: Common Variable Immunodeficiency. Thanks to an excellent family physician's referral, we discovered my body wasn't producing enough immunoglobulin, leaving me vulnerable to infections with dangerously low IgG levels.
I thought I was living a somewhat normal life before, but I didn't know what I didn't know. I had grown accustomed to feeling tired, to catching routine sinus infections that came my way, never realizing how much energy I was missing. The diagnosis changed everything when I started on subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy (SCIG).
The transformation has been incredible. Now I have the IgA and IgG levels I need to fight routine infections. I have energy I never realized I was missing and the immunity to stay healthy. I can do everything I want to do and live with complete confidence knowing my body has what it needs to fight infection.
But here's what makes this story truly meaningful: my treatment exists entirely because of plasma donors. Every dose of immunoglobulin I receive comes directly from donated plasma. Without these generous donations, I simply wouldn't have access to the medicine keeping me alive and thriving.
When I was first diagnosed with this rare disease, I felt quite alone. It wasn't until I recently started advocating and sharing my story that I realized how connected we all are. The peace of mind that comes from knowing I have the immunity to be healthy — that's what I value most about this second chance.
If I could speak to my donors, I would tell them they are lifesavers who have a huge impact that extends far beyond what they might imagine. Without them, I wouldn't be alive. My gratitude is beyond words—they are literally the reason I can live, thrive, and now help others by sharing my story.
Canada's Lifeline represents hope, connection, and the incredible generosity that flows through our communities, keeping people like me not just alive, but truly living. Your donations don't just help someone — they transform lives completely.
