Calgary parents donate blood in support of kids who face cancer

A group of Calgary parents whose kids have faced the turmoil of cancer treatment donated blood on Tuesday to honour their children.

The blood donation drive at a Canadian Blood Services location in downtown Calgary aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood and blood products to cancer patients.

The month of September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to better understand and address the needs of children with cancer and their families.

Claire Masikewich is a mother of two and continues to face a cancer journey with her 6-year-old daughter Sloane.

“Never did we think when we went to the Alberta Children’s hospital that day in May 2023 that we would walk out with a Cancer diagnosis,” she says. “It’s been a wild ride

Other parents with children who have a cancer diagnosis held photos of their kids to stand strong knowing a lot more can be done.

“Learning what we’ve learned over the last year and a half about the little funding that goes into childhood cancer research, only 7 per cent of funds in Canada for cancer research goes to pediatrics,” says Masikewich, something she calls “unaccetpable.”

Many patients, including children with various health conditions, require regular transfusion therapy.

Appointments spots are available to donate to the drive until next Monday.