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A young Kelowna woman is asking for a very different Christmas gift this season, one that can help save a life.
Two years ago, Kelly Ronahan became sick with an undiagnosed blood disorder. As a result, Ronahan depended on regular blood-transfusions, sometimes receiving blood as often as once a week.
Over the two years Ronahan was sick, she received a over 348 litres of blood, which is equal to about 87 four-litre milk jugs.
While Ronahan knows some people will get squeamish thinking about the huge amount of blood she has required over the past couple years, she hopes her story will inspire people to become blood donors.
Monday afternoon, Ronahan and her family are going to the Kelowna branch of the Canadian Blood Services to share her story and thank the doctors, nurses, and the 55 blood donors who helped save her life. The family has assembled gift bags for both donors and hospital staff as a gesture of thanks and gratitude.
Canadian Blood Services says they need 170,000 additional donors per year to maintain the national blood supply.
Kelly’s twin sister, Gina, says she hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to donate blood this holiday season.
“I am just so thankful,” said Gina Monday. “I know many people count on blood. Thanks to this blood, my sister is alive.”
Kelly is sharing her story on social media through pictures and words, hoping to inspire others to give someone the gift of life this Christmas through a blood donation.
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