Later this month, Rosalie Audia is going to do something her parents feared might never happen: She’s going to celebrate her first birthday.
It’s a miraculous milestone for Rosie, who required a life-saving heart transplant during the summer after it was discovered she had three congenital heart defects.
The most worrisome was pulmonary atresia, which impedes the flow of blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
Doctors deemed it inoperable and said a heart transplant was vital. Fortunately, a match was found in time and on June 27, she received her new heart and a new lease on life.
Without that new heart, and without the multiple blood transfusions she has needed in her short life, things could have turned out much differently for the local family.
That’s why Brian and Samantha Audia have become advocates for organ donation. And it’s why they are rallying Orillia and area residents to roll up their sleeves and donate blood this week.
“Rosie has had six blood transfusions so far in her life and will most likely need more in the future,” says Samantha Audia.
“Each of these blood transfusions were essential in her treatment both in the months while waiting for a transplant, and during the surgery itself,” said the grateful mom.
“She would not be alive today without blood donors.”
That, in a nutshell, is why it’s vital for people to attend local blood donor clinics, says Elaine St. Pierre, the territory manager for Canadian Blood Services.
“With February being the month of love and Valentine’s Day, combined with it being Rosie’s birthday … it’s the perfect time to show your love for a patient in need by donating blood,” said St. Pierre.
While Rosie’s birthday is not until Feb. 23, Thursday’s clinic will serve as an early birthday party of sorts for the tot.
“We plan to bring a big birthday cake to the blood drive on Thursday to celebrate Rosie’s upcoming birthday,” said St. Pierre. “Our dedicated volunteers will help serve the cake to all our donors and we will be encouraging people to support the family’s campaign to raise funds in support of Sick Kids.”
For Samantha and her family, the best gift for Rosalie would be for people to come and make a blood donation.
“We are often asked how people can support us and giving blood is definitely a tangible way they can show their support for Rosie and what she has gone through,” said Samantha.
“Rosie is the toughest little warrior I know and it’s heartbreaking that she has gone through so much in her short little life,” she said. “People taking the time out of their day to give blood, to help save more lives in honour of her would mean the world to us.”
St. Pierre said the need for blood donors is great and is thankful for the local family’s support.
“We are so grateful that the Audia family is bringing awareness to the need for blood by patients like Rosie and encouraging their own network to get involved by donating on her behalf,” she said.
“Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood and often from more than one generous donor,” said St. Pierre.
Here’s why it’s important to give blood as it requires:
- Up to 8 donors a week to help someone with leukemia;
- Up to 5 donors to help someone undergoing cancer treatment;
- Up to 50 donors to help someone in a car crash;
- Up to 2 donors to help someone who needs brain surgery;
- Up to 5 donors to save someone who needs heart surgery;
- Up to 2 to 8 donors to help someone with internal bleeding;
- Up to 2 donors a day to help someone undergoing a bone marrow transplant;
- Up to 4 donors a month to help someone with Aplastic Anemia; and
- Up to 2 donors for a hip replacement
St. Pierre said all blood types are needed.
To donate, you must be at least 17 years of age, in general good health, and feeling well on the day of your donation.
As part of your donation, you will be asked a variety of questions to determine your eligibility to give blood.
Although not all of us can give blood, every one of us can help by donating for a friend or asking one to give on your behalf.
More regular donors are needed to maintain a strong national inventory of blood and blood products to meet patients’ needs.
There are two blood donor clinics in Orillia this week. Thursday’s clinic goes from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday’s clinic is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Both days, the clinic is held at Best Western Mariposa Inn on Memorial Avenue.
It’s easy to book an appointment, locate a clinic, check your eligibility, and more. Download the GiveBlood app available for iOS on the App Store or for Android on Google Play, call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283), or visit blood.ca.