David Young requires blood to help him through his burkitt leukemia treatments
Whether someone is going through cancer treatment or has just been in a car accident, blood donation is a crucial part of their recovery.
Melanie Murphy knows the importance of blood donation all too well. Her six-year-old son David Young was diagnosed with burkitt leukemia in March.
“While David was sick, people would ask what they could do for us, and blood donation always came to my mind,” Murphy said.
“Everything else we could pick up at the store, but blood donations are something we depended on the generosity of others for, and it was vital to his treatments.”
Throughout David’s treatment, he received 16 blood transfusions and 10 platelet transfusions. With an AB blood type, he is a universal blood recipient.
“I would tell everyone, you’re David’s type. He can take blood from anyone,” said Murphy. While he has a rare blood type, he can be given O negative blood which is a universal type found in 15 per cent of the population.
“It motivated people, because they knew they could actually help him. Having that face of someone that you know is an extra incentive to give.”
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