Dan and Robyn Yatchuk and their four-year-old son Khoen know all too well the importance of blood donation.
The Ladner family is sharing their story through Canadian Blood Services encouraging others to support Canada’s Lifeline.
Khoen was born with Hereditary Spherocytosis and had his first transfusion at three weeks old. Khoen has had seven transfusions so far to manage the blood disorder that causes his immune system to destroy his red blood cells.
On Christmas Day last year he was showing signs of critical hemolysis and required a blood transfusion on Boxing Day.
“Blood donations have meant everything to us,” said Robyn who was on hand with Khoen at a blood donation clinic in Vancouver thanking supporters on Wednesday. “Without these transfusions I don’t even want to think about what could happen. It’s so important to us. His recovery is pretty quick, almost immediate when he receives the transfusions.”
Robyn said the winter season, flu season and in turn the holiday season is the hardest time because it is when Khoen’s body is under more stress.
“It’s the flu season. When he is fighting an infection that is when his body is under stress and his body just can’t keep up with the rate he is losing his blood, so that’s when he needs the medical intervention and the transfusions,” she said. “The blood clinics are closed during Christmas and people are thinking about their families and other ways of giving, but people still need blood just as much over the holidays as they do the rest of the year.
“The need doesn’t stop.”
The Yatchuk’s hope sharing their story inspires others to make saving a life their greatest gift this holiday season. More than 3,000 donors in B.C. are needed to help fill open appointments by Jan. 5.
People who are unable to donate blood can give financially, volunteer, and encourage others in their network to become donors. Download the GiveBlood app, call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca. Walk-in appointments are also available at all locations.
