The family of a nine-year-old West 麻豆精选 boy diagnosed with brain cancer last year is urging the public to give blood.
Lee-Ann Morcom, whose son Connor is now in remission after having a tumour removed and undergoing both radiation treatment and chemotherapy, said Tuesday she was more than happy to help give back after all the life-saving transfusions her son received during his cancer fight.
鈥淏别蹿辞谤别 this, I 诲颈诲苍鈥檛 really know cancer patients needed 迟谤补苍蝉蹿耻蝉颈辞苍蝉,鈥� said Morcom.
But given her experience with her son and her gratitude, she said not only is she asking others to give, she said her family will also step up its donations.
鈥渊辞耻鈥檒濒 see us around here a lot 尘辞谤别,鈥� she said during a brief ceremony at the CSB office in 麻豆精选 where her son was presented with a cake to help kick off a donation drive in his name.
Morcom said Connor has had 25 transfusions since he was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and underwent surgery.
Her husband, Darren, who accompanied his wife and son Tuesday rolled up his sleeve and gave blood.
Like his wife, he said he was so thankful to all the people who donated blood and, as a result, helped his son.
He said he was also thankful for both the excellent treatment Connor received at 颁丑颈濒诲谤别苍鈥檚 Hospital in Vancouver and the welcoming and supportive atmosphere at nearby Ronald McDonald House, where Connor and his mom stayed for extended periods over the last year.
鈥泪迟 really was like a home away from home for 迟丑别尘,鈥� he said, adding Lee-Ann and Connor were there for the better part of the last year.
While they were in Vancouver, Darren and 颁辞苍苍辞谤鈥檚 11-year-old brother, were in 麻豆精选, making frequent trips to the Lower Mainland to be by 颁辞苍苍辞谤鈥檚 side.
In addition to 顿补谤谤别苍鈥檚 donation, more than 100 people signed up to give blood Tuesday in 颁辞苍苍辞谤鈥檚 name, including a number of players on his favourite hockey team, the West 麻豆精选 Warriors.
Prior to his illness, Connor said he loved playing hockey.
Gayle Voyer, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services in 麻豆精选 said anyone who wants to give blood is encouraged to do so, and if they want, they donate in 颁辞苍苍辞谤鈥檚 name by quoting a special number 鈥� 颁翱鲍搁242111鈥攚丑别苍 booking their appointment. To book, go to the CBS website at blood.ca.
The blood drive in Connor 惭辞谤肠辞尘鈥檚 name will run until Jan. 31, but members of the public are encouraged to donate at any time.
Watching the donation promotion around Connor on Tuesday was Susan Sullivan, who was making her 201st donation.
She said she started donating as a young university student living in Calgary in 1967 and has continued to do so ever since.
She said 颈迟鈥檚 so important for so many people and like the 惭辞谤肠辞尘鈥檚 she encourages everyone who can do so, to give blood.
鈥泪 do it because 颈迟鈥檚 something 迟丑补迟鈥檚 so easy to 诲辞,鈥� said Sullivan.
