A life dependent on blood donors
Darryl and Jennifer Feist of Port Moody, B.C., will be forever and continuously grateful to blood donors. That is because their middle child and only son, Luke, will need blood products for the rest of his life. At two years old, Luke was diagnosed with Factor V deficiency after a seemingly minor cut on his lip would not stop bleeding. An essential blood protein, Factor V helps blood cells to clot in response to an injury.
Luke is one of just six patients across Canada reported to have severe Factor V deficiency.
Luke’s deficiency not only means that he will need to be carefully monitored throughout his childhood (no team sports, limited play outdoors, etc.), it also means he will likely rely on the generosity of strangers for the rest of his life. He needs blood transfusions for treating minor injuries such as a cut lip, bitten tongue or nose bleed, major injuries such as internal bleeding, and as a preventative measure prior to operation, such as dental surgery.
While Luke received red blood cell transfusions on his very first visit to the BC Children’s emergency room, Luke most often receives FFP (fresh frozen plasma), a product imported from Alberta to B.C.
Luke most recently received a plasma transfusion at BC Children’s before receiving dental work on Dec. 20, 2011.
“My husband Darryl and I are incredibly grateful that blood products are available for our son when he needs them,” says Jennifer. “Blood was the greatest gift we could have asked for this past Christmas season.”
Luke has had many blood transfusions since being diagnosed with Factor V deficiency.
Top donor’s legacy lives on
B.C’s top donor, Frank Bernstein donated whole blood, plasma and platelets for more than four decades, contributing 532 donations to Canada’s blood system.
Sadly, Frank stopped donating in December 2010 when diagnosed with bladder cancer and eventually succumbed to the disease in July 2011.
However, Frank’s spirit continued to live on in his son, Neil Bernstein. Although he had never donated blood, he was inspired to help his dad’s legacy live on.
“Blood donation was one of the most important things in my dad’s life,” says Neil. “He saved so many lives throughout his lifetime.”
To honour his dad’s memory, Neil organized a blood drive called “In Honour of Frank Bernstein.” Not only did Neil donate for the very first time on the third anniversary of Frank’s milestone 500th donation (Jan. 25, 2012), he encouraged 159 others to donate in Frank’s name as well.
“Knowing how much it meant to my dad and experiencing how easy it is to give blood, I’ve definitely become a lifelong donor,” Neil says.
Neil Bernstein donates for the first time in front of TV crews.
It’s all Cantonese to me
For the first time, Canadian Blood Services hosted a blood donor clinic for Cantonese-speaking donors.
On Feb. 26, 2012, 10 donors gave blood for the first time in Canada, with the assistance of translated written materials, accredited language interpreters and Cantonese-speaking volunteers.
“This clinic was a trial run for us,” says Kathy Broad-Scott, Regional Partnership Specialist. “Hosting this first clinic gave us insight into how to improve for the next time.”
Canadian Blood Services submitted a request to Health Canada for the use of language interpreters in blood donor clinics in 2011. Approved this past fall, teams put plans into place to host Cantonese and Punjabi-language clinics, with the possibility of expanding to other languages in the future.
Toronto hosted their first clinic on April 6, followed by a second clinic in Richmond, on April 22.
A Cantonese-speaking donor gives blood in Richmond.
New look for Standard Life
The Standard Life blood donor clinic in downtown Vancouver has a brand new look.
Closed for two weeks throughout a full renovation, the downtown clinic reopened on March 26. The new look features elements of Canadian Blood Services’ new clinic design, including clean lines, bright colours and wood and chrome accents.
“This new design will help with donor flow and will create more space for both donors and staff,” notes Sunil Mudaliar, Facilities Site Manager.
The makeover comes just in time to celebrate Canadian Blood Services’ 20-year partnership with the owner of the clinic’s office space, Standard Life. Donors, Partners for Life members, volunteers and staff were invited to celebrate the partnership at a reception on April 16.
Standard Life gets a makeover.
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