Two days ago, I donated blood for the first time. This was an important moment for me.
This past June, our two-year-old son, Shepherd, was diagnosed with leukemia. We live in Vernon, BC, and his decline was sudden and terrifying. Shepherd became extremely ill, and his condition turned into a dire emergency. He was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital, where he received four blood transfusions and two platelet transfusions. Shortly after, we learned he had a high-risk form of B-cell leukemia.
In those moments, you feel completely powerless as a parent. There is nothing you can do to protect your child—except hope and pray.
Those transfusions allowed Shepherd to stabilize. They quite literally saved his life and made it possible for him to begin the treatment process and chemotherapy needed to fight this aggressive disease.
Blood tests are now a regular part of our family’s life. Shepherd has one at least once a week. His identical twin brother, Fletcher, must also have blood work every three months, as his medical team monitors him closely due to an increased risk of developing leukemia as well. Each test is hard to watch. Each time, our stomachs ache. Each time, we hold our breath waiting for the results.
Our family will never be the same. But because of the generosity of blood donors—because strangers showed up and gave—we are all still together, stronger than ever.
I hope every donor knows that what they do changes lives. It heals. It gives hope in the darkest moments to parents like my wife and me. Thank you to everyone who has donated. It saved my son. It inspired me to give as well. It gave our family a full future together.
