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Ladner family gives back in a big way

Couple helps fill 75 spots at blood donor clinic after two-year-old son experiences health scare
blood donor
Carly Walsh and husband Ryan got family and friends out to a blood donor clinic in Ladner Wednesday as a show of thanks for the blood transfusions son Smyth received during the summer.

A young family from Ladner, along with 75 of their family members and friends, gave back at a Canadian Blood Services donor clinic at the Ladner Community Centre Wednesday.

The outpouring of support was a way of saying thanks following a serious medical emergency the family experienced this summer.

Carly Walsh and her husband Ryan knew giving blood was important, but the couple truly didn’t realize how important it was until its two-year-old son Smyth desperately needed it.

Smyth was rushed to hospital in August where he was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a blood clotting disease caused by an E. coli infection. Smyth’s treatment required that he and his mom spend 15 days at BC Children’s Hospital. Smyth was on dialysis and had two surgeries, one to put in his catheter and one to take it out.

As part of his treatment, he received three blood transfusions and a platelet transfusion.

Carly said she had given blood in the past, but after the health scare, they knew they had to do more.

“My husband and I thought the least we could do after coming out of this experience was to start to help others who are in need of blood,” she said. “We live in the incredible community of Ladner and Tsawwassen and that’s how we were able to fill all those spots. So many people were just so willing to jump on board and didn’t hesitate.”

She said when they got the idea to reach out to the community, they posted a message on Facebook and within two hours all the spots were filled.

“Encouraging blood donations is our way of giving back for the care we received in hospital,” Carly added. “It’s incredible to see people reach out like they did. When you see your own son needing blood it really hits home. Someone out there donated and I will never know who that person is, but I can’t thank them enough.”

Carly said Smyth is happier and healthier than ever.

“He fought so hard to become healthy again. His kidneys are now fully functional and we’re so grateful he’s healthy,” she said.

David Patterson, director of donor relations with Canadian Blood Services, said the organization is grateful for the Walsh family’s efforts to give back.

“Carly and her family saw the impact that giving blood had on their son’s life and were so appreciative they chose to put together this blood drive to not only 75 people, but 75 potential new donors into our system who will hopefully continue to donate blood in the future and help more people in need.”

Patterson said the need for donors continues to grow with specific needs for O-negative blood - the universal blood type.

“When donors are O-negative it is quite likely that others in their family are also O-negative, so maybe by way of this we will ask any current donors out there who are O-negative to ask their family members to come in and donate,” he added.