I donated blood in my twenties, then got busy with a career and raising my two daughters. My younger daughter, Jody, had cystic fibrosis, and while she was healthy as a child, she needed a double lung transplant when she was 27 years old. She was hospitalized many times and required numerous blood transfusions, including during treatment for lymphoma (a blood cancer). I realized how blessed we are to have Canadian Blood Services to provide the blood when needed.
Jody took up scuba diving not long after her transplant (of course she did!). This photo of her with a shark is from a trip to the Bahamas in 2013.
Jody passed away in 2020, and I continue to donate blood in her honour, knowing that another mother's child will need it. I just made my 12th donation and will continue to donate as long as I'm able. It's fast, easy and completely painless, and could save a life.
