The South Delta community rallied around a family donating blood at a Canadian Blood Services drive in Ladner this week.
Carly and Ryan Walsh-Fraser’s four-year-old son Smyth has now recovered from a serious medical emergency last summer, so for the past two years the family, with the support of relatives and friends, has brought attention to the important cause of donating blood.
Karen Garcia, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services, said 145 donors attended the clinic at the Ladner Community Centre on Wednesday.
“We had a target to collect 97 units of blood and we collected 123, which means we collected 127 per cent to target,” said Garcia. “Many have said that they saw the advanced story in the Optimist and even though they had an appointment they wanted to come early and meet the family.
“We are so thankful to the Fraser-Walsh family to share their story and really be advocates for us. They really got this community involved and ensured they were well educated in what we do and ensure everyone understands the importance of this gift.”
In August 2017, Smyth was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), abnormal destruction of red blood cells caused by the E. coli bacteria. The condition can cause life-threatening kidney failure.
Smyth and his mom spent 15 days at BC Children’s Hospital and as part of his treatment he received three blood transfusions and a platelet transfusion that helped to save his life.
Smyth celebrated his birthday in October and is happier and healthier than ever.
“What it means to have the support of Ladner/Tsawwassen and our community – it means everything,” said Carly. “It means the world to us. For them to come out and be a part of such an amazing event and be a part of Smyth’s recovery is amazing.”
Ryan said for the first three or four days in hospital, Smyth’s condition was deteriorating, so when he got the blood transfusions, that was really his road to recovery.
“That is when he started to turn around and was the beginning of him getting to good health,” recalled Ryan. “To have the support from last year and this year is amazing. You don’t realize how important it is until you are the family or person in need. It’s a real eye-opener and we are more than happy to give back such a small token of our appreciation.”
