Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2017-2018 | Page 68

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BLOOD DONORS FUEL
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
obby Karratti perfectly
illustrates the reality that
blood donors truly do
save lives and that all types of blood
donation are critically needed to help
patients.
As new and inexperienced parents,
Alexandra and Mike Karratti lovingly
called infant Bobby their “blueberry”
baby, blissfully unaware they were
seeing the manifestations of a serious
blood clotting malfunction. Bobby’s
pediatrician quickly referred the
family for further testing, thinking
Bobby likely had leukemia.
Thus began a long journey; one
with endless education and endless
challenges that the Karritti family
embraced fully with all their strength,
their hearts, their hopes. BloodSource
donors were by their side. a diagnosis of Wiskott- Aldrich
syndrome (WAS) – a rare, primary
immunodeficiency disease with
abnormal bleeding. The only known
cure is a bone marrow transplant.
Bobby needed all types of blood
components - red cells, plasma
and platelets. Platelets - viable for a
mere five days after donation – were
transfused every day for over six
months. Infusions of a plasma-based
medicine, called immunoglobulin,
would be on the schedule for four
years.
“Every day, Bobby needed blood
transfusions of all types,” shares
Alexandra. “ I want to let blood donors
know that although they have no idea
who is desperately holding onto hope
at the other end of what they give, that
those people are grateful.”
GIVING WHAT’S NEEDED
It took more than a year and countless
blood transfusions to confirm DONATING BLOOD AND HOPE
Bobby was near death at many times
during his ordeal. Today, he is healthy,
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ready to start first grade and is an avid
sports fan! Alexandra reminds blood
donors that their precious gifts allow
patients to live today and fuel hope for
memorable tomorrows.
Together, we do save lives.
To learn how you can support the
critical public health need of a safe and
plentiful blood supply, please contact
BloodSource at bloodsource.org or
866.822.5663.
BLOODSOURCE.ORG / 866.822.5663
“I want to let blood donors know that
although they have no idea who is
desperately holding onto hope at the
other end of what they give, that those
people are grateful.”
— Alexandra Karratti