Menaal was born with Thalassemia Major, a lifelong blood condition that can only be cured through a bone marrow transplant (BMT). From the tender age of just 6 weeks, she relied on blood transfusions every 3-5 weeks. At 17, she underwent a BMT to treat her Thalassemia; however, due to complications, she tragically passed away less than a month after her 18th birthday.
Throughout her short yet beautiful life, Menaal received approximately 270 blood transfusions — every 3-4 weeks. These regular transfusions enabled her to embrace life fully, reassuring her that the next one would help maintain her well-being. Moreover, during the 2.5 months in the hospital for her BMT until her untimely passing, she not only continued to rely on blood transfusions as before, but also required platelets and plasma — sometimes on a daily basis.
Menaal was a best friend to everyone who knew her. She was always the first to lend a hand and possessed the most caring voice in any room — along with the loudest laugh! Without those vital blood transfusions, none of this would have been possible; thousands of lives would be worse off without her presence. The significance of contributions made by blood donors cannot be overstated; they are true heroes for countless individuals with each donation they make. It represents not just life lived but also memories cherished.
Whether for families like ours that depend on an ongoing supply of blood — as seemingly ordinary as charging a phone — and for those facing acute situations such as accidents or surgeries, this importance is equally profound.
In honor of Menaal’s memory after her passing, we established an annual blood drive held each year on her birthday — December 30th.
