You never think it will happen to you

I woke up one day, then I was sick the next. What appeared to be nothing to worry about was being so close to death without actually dying.

1. My kidneys shut down, and I was in acute kidney failure because I was extremely dehydrated, but with antibiotics, my kidneys 100% improved, and they were called "remarkable."

2. I had emergency surgery because I had a perforation in my bowel and acute appendicitis. 

2. Five days later, they found out I had an anastomotic leak, I had a right hemicolectomy done, and I had my first blood transfusion.

3. I got mixed delirium; I received my next two blood transfusions but needed daily wound care because of another infection.

To this day, we have no idea what caused it, and we have no answers, just guesses.

There is so much more to what happened, and two years later, I made a full recovery. It may get tough and tight sometimes, but it was one of the best and worst things to ever happen to me! It happened in 2022, and now it's 2024.

I simply have no words to say to my donors but "thank you" for being so selfless to help out a total stranger! I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you and I promise I will always try my best to pay it forward and tell my story.

Even if I can't donate anymore, I will always spread the word and the cause for people to donate because you will never think it will happen to you!

Laura

Hamilton, Ontario

Blood recipient portrait