Stories from Canadian Blood Services

Stem cell donor from Potlotek First Nation
Inspiration

How an Indigenous stem cell donor saved a life on Canada’s opposite coast

Veronica, who is Mi’kmaw from Cape Breton, was a stem cell match for Judee, a woman of Métis heritage on Vancouver Island

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Older brother sitting cross-legged with younger brother hugging him from behind.
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Blood transfusions are a lifeline for people living with sickle cell disease

More than 6,000 people across Canada have sickle cell disease, and many rely on blood donors

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Blood recipient wearing pink jacket holding binoculars
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‘Every time I see a bag of blood, I see a person behind it’

Wai Yin Mok is grateful to each and every blood donor helping her survive and thrive with a mysterious illness

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Blood recipient holding hands with blood donor husband wearing an arm wrap
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A life touched by thousands of blood donors

Bessie Calabria relies on monthly blood transfusions for thalassemia. Her husband, Sal, donates in thanks.

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Man in red jacket smiling and looking through window
Information Inspiration

Hope and healing, thanks to blood donors and a stem cell donor

Blood donors helped Emmanuel Boakye survive sickle cell disease. Then a stem cell donation from his sister delivered a life beyond it.

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Blood and organ recipient smiling outdoors
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From near death to unstoppable, thanks to donated blood and organs

Gratitude for her donors drives Kathleen Zavarise to both seek adventure and serve others  

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Plasma recipient standing next to wall outdoors covered with shrubbery
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Heartfelt gratitude for the ‘mind-blowing’ support of plasma donors

Medication made from the pooled plasma of thousands of donors enabled Marcel Lesage to survive Guillain-Barré syndrome

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