More than 200 transfusions of uncommon blood type were needed to save Vinesha's life
It all started with a sharp pain in Vinesha Ramasamy’s left knee. An x-ray revealed a mass. As her oncologist put it, it was “the worst case of high-grade osteosarcoma” he’d ever seen. At 15 years old she was diagnosed with bone cancer.
June 20, 2019
Since Vinesha's cancer was aggressive, her medical team chose an equally aggressive treatment plan. After the first cycle of chemotherapy, she developed a high fever. Then, her kidneys started to fail, and a risky blood clot developed in her neck. Since chemotherapy also destroys red blood cells, she became anemic and was in desperate need of a blood transfusion to stay alive.
To make her situation more critical, she has O-negative blood – a rare blood type that only seven per cent of Canadians have. Her life depended on a very small percentage of Canadian donors because, while her blood type can be transfused to anyone, she can only receive O-negative blood.
Because of people like you, she was able to access the blood and platelet donations she needed to help keep her fighting.
Unfortunately, Vinesha’s health challenges did not end there. Three and a half years into remission, the cancer came back. This time it was in her lungs and a complex surgery was required. Once again, she needed blood during surgery.
Vinesha ended up needing more than 200 units of blood to help save her life.
That’s why your financial support of our recruitment efforts is essential. On average, every 60 seconds someone in Canada needs blood. In fact, half of the people you know will need blood at some point in their lives. Ensuring that blood is always there for those in need means raising the financial resources to help fund new programs and expand initiatives that educate and recruit new donors to join Canada’s Lifeline.
When you make your financial gift to Canadian Blood Services, you play an integral role in helping connect patients like Vinesha with the lifesaving products and services they need most. Without your support, Vinesha would not be alive.
Experiences like Vinesha’s are more common than you may realize. Right now - somewhere in Canada – someone needs blood to survive. More than 100,000 new blood donors are needed each year to ensure every patient’s needs can be met. By making your gift today, you can be the reason – the connection – that keeps them living.
There are lots of reasons to join Canada’s Lifeline. Reason 39 – your financial donations save lives. Please consider making your financial donation today. Your gift is vital to the patients served by Canadian Blood Services. Thank you for helping patients by joining Canada’s Lifeline.
