Living Through Giving

A powerful reminder of the lifesaving difference donors like you make

Writer, storyteller and philanthropist, Margaret Lynch, was only 30 years old in 1988 when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of acute leukemia that combined features of both acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

During four months of brutal chemotherapy, Margaret received 157 transfusions including red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

“The generosity of the people who donated blood is what kept me alive and I am eternally grateful,” says Margaret.

When chemotherapy failed, Margaret’s hope rested on a stem cell transplant. This treatment was the first of its kind in Canada but there wasn’t a stem cell registry at the time. Thankfully, one of Margaret’s sisters was a perfect match.

It was risky and experimental, with no guarantees, but 18 days later Margaret walked out of her isolation room with a new immune system — and a second chance at life.

From that moment, Margaret was determined to live her life with meaning. “Once I started writing about my experience, I asked for my medical records,” she recalls. “I saw transfusion after transfusion, and it was then that I really understood just how critical and lifesaving those transfusions were.”

Since 1988, the world of transfusion medicine and stem cell transplantation has made huge advancements, and donors like you play a major role in getting it where it is now, and will be in the future. Today, people in Canada can give whole blood or plasma at one of 41 donation centres or one of the 4,000 ongoing mobile clinics, join the Stem Cell Registry with a simple cheek swab and support lifesaving research that has improved treatments and outcomes for people like Margaret.

For the last two decades, Margaret has championed cancer research and been an advocate for Canadian Blood Services through her own personal donations and community fundraising efforts. Her generosity was instrumental in supporting last year’s Assignment Saving Lives Scholarship program. This initiative empowers post secondary students to recruit blood, plasma and stem cell donors with the incentive of a scholarship for the student who recruits the most donors in different categories.

Today, Margaret is thriving — and working on writing her memoir. Her advice to those considering donating is simple and clear: “Whether it’s a blood donation, a financial gift or getting swabbed for the stem cell registry — if you’ve ever thought about doing it, just do it.”

Thanks to donors, Margaret was given a second chance at life.

Your generosity helped students across Canada make a national impact

In 2025, students across Canada made a remarkable impact through the Assignment Lives Scholarship program. Thanks to donors like you and a transformative gift from Margaret Lynch, 25 students recruited 840 whole blood, plasma and platelet donors and 722 new stem cell registrants — helping to keep Canada’s Lifeline strong and ready when it matters most.

Isabella’s Warriors: a legacy of lifesaving impact

Thanks to donors like you, more families are given the gift of time when it matters most. Time to be together, to share moments, to create memories.

In December 2022, a routine eye exam became the first sign of a serious illness for 22-year-old Isabella. Her optometrist noticed bleeding behind her eyes and suggested she follow up with her family physician. Blood work was ordered and within a few weeks Isabella was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a form of blood cancer.

For her parents, Rosie and Nick, the diagnosis was a complete shock. Isabella was healthy and active. She worked, was a competitive dancer and was preparing to teach English abroad.

“I never believed people when they said life can change tomorrow,” says Rosie.

Isabella endured months of chemotherapy, procedures and tests, meeting each obstacle with determination and strength. When her doctor discovered a chromosomal abnormality that made relapse likely, a stem cell transplant became her best hope.

Support poured in as friends and family organized fundraisers, blood drives and donor registry campaigns, leading to the creation of Isabella’s Warriors.

“She inspired her friends,” says Rosie. “They were the right age to get swabbed for the Stem Cell Registry, so they immediately signed up. Instead of shutting down, they were inspired to take action. That energy grew into Isabella’s Warriors and it kept expanding — from registering as stem cell donors to giving blood.”

On July 20, 2023, Isabella received her stem cell transplant, but complications soon followed that led to repeated hospital admissions.

For Isabella, the daily red blood cell and platelet transfusions she received were a lifeline. Canada’s Lifeline is made possible through the ongoing support of financial and biological donors like you.

“I wish more people knew how critical blood donations are,” says Nick. “You never think this is going to happen to you, but the reality is you don’t know when somebody close to you will need blood.”

“She was receiving blood the whole time, but she got to the point of needing two to four bags of platelets every day,” says Rosie. “Every transfusion was an extra day of her life.”

In February 2024, the family shared one last weekend together, celebrating what would be their final Christmas with Isabella.

“That last weekend at home was very special,” says Rosie. “We celebrated Christmas in February, waking up in the morning to open gifts and staying in our pajamas. We watched movies in the afternoon, around the tree.”

Those final days Isabella spent with Rosie, Nick and Isabella’s brother Johnny were only possible because of blood transfusions from caring donors like you.

“As sad as it was, every extra moment we got because of the transfusions was a blessing,” says Nick. “Thanks to donors, we got an extra moment with her — an extra hug, an extra kiss, an extra laugh.”

Isabella passed away on March 14, 2024, at just 23 years old.

The family is passionate about supporting Canadian Blood Services and grateful for the extra time they had with Bella.

“We couldn’t save Bella, but donors gave us time,” says Rosie.

Isabella’s family and friends are committed to honouring her life by continuing the work she inspired through Isabella’s Warriors, with funds supporting Canadian Blood Services. To date, Isabella’s Warriors has raised nearly $40,000 and recruited more than 1,200 new donors.

“Nothing will take away the pain we felt,” says Nick. “But maybe, because of Bella, another little girl and family won’t have to go through what we went through. We’ll never know for sure, but there’s hope — hope that stem cell donations made for Bella went to someone else and helped them. Every donation of blood, plasma or funds might support research or care that prevents others from suffering like Bella did. That hope became the heart of our mission. Isabella’s Warriors exists to make a difference, even if we never hear the full impact. There’s always that hope — and that’s what keeps us going.”

Today, Isabella’s spirit continues to inspire countless people through Isabella’s Warriors, Isabella’s book club and the dance studio scholarship created in her name. Friends and community members host events in her honour, raising funds and awareness.

“We knew the impact she had on us,” says Rosie. “And how special she was,” adds Nick. “But we never realized the impact she had on so many others.”

Her parents describe Isabella as a kind, funny, loving, vibrant, silly, compassionate, quirky girl who was the queen of telling dad jokes.

“Bella didn’t mind being a kid in an adult world,” says Nick. “She had no issues telling people she liked Harry Potter, Disney, Marvel. She was an avid reader and the year before she got sick she read 108 books. The year she was sick she read 41.”

One of Isabella’s favourite books was The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. In it, a young woman is given the magical gift of eternal life but spends centuries searching for proof that a life is measured by more than its length — it’s not about how long you’re here, but the difference you make and the mark you leave on the world.

Isabella left an extraordinary mark in her 23 years — one that will continue to inspire and give hope to countless people.

“I think people that were close to Bella are leading a more hopeful life, realizing how short life can be.” – Nick, Isabella’s father

A gift of honour: celebrating Indigenous partnerships

During the grand opening of our Calgary Donor Centre, Elder Floria Gail Duck Chief (Issapa’kii – Crow Woman) of the Siksika Nation generously gifted a ceremonial blanket to Canadian Blood Services. On Sept. 30, 2025, the blanket was installed in a protective display at the centre, accompanied by a plaque recognizing Elder Floria Duck Chief and the Siksika Nation. With thanks to community support, our donor centres became more inclusive and strengthened their ability to honour indigenous culture. 

In many Indigenous cultures, the act of gifting carries deep meaning. As part of our programming observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous speaker Kendal Netmaker shared that receiving a gift from an Elder is among the most profound expressions of reciprocal respect and relationship. The ceremonial blanket stands as a visible reminder of the trust placed in us and the responsibility that comes with it, reinforcing our commitment to advancing reconciliation while being culturally aware.

The blanket honours the lands on which the donor centre stands and the enduring presence of local First Nations. It also reflects an ongoing commitment to listening, learning and walking alongside Indigenous partners as part of our reconciliation journey.

We are grateful for this gift, for donor support and the relationship it represents, and we recognize reconciliation as ongoing work grounded in respect, humility and accountability.

Build Canada’s Lifeline for future generations

Your legacy can save lives – it’s never been easier!

With Canada’s population continuing to grow, Canadian Blood Services will remain the lifeline for future generations. You can ensure lifesaving blood and blood products will always be available when they’re needed most. After providing for your loved ones, consider a gift in your Will to Canadian Blood Services to make the world a better place. Reach out to Irma Deacon at 437-488-9549 or irma.deacon@blood.ca to have a confidential conversation about leaving a gift in your will.

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Donate now to save more lives.

Financial donations are an immediate way to make a difference. Your gift helps ensure lifesaving biological products are available when patients need them most.
 

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Monthly giving strengthens our blood system.

Monthly giving is one of the most powerful ways to support Canadian Blood Services. Your ongoing support helps ensure a steady, reliable supply of blood, plasma, and stem cell services — so that lifesaving care is always available when families need it most. Even a small monthly gift adds up to lasting impact.

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