Your blood could save this Arnprior 8-year-old boy's life
Sledge hockey is eight-year-old Easton Harris’ favourite thing.
Sledge hockey and Lego.
Easton has a pretty electric attitude about everything. Even blood and platelet transfusions every few days at CHEO.
“It’s fun,” smiles Easton Harris.
Of course, Easton means that’s how the team at CHEO makes him feel. They make his blood tests and procedures feel positive and pleasant, even if the needles are not.
Easton’s been part of the CHEO family since his very premature birth. He arrived four months early
Born with cerebral palsy, Easton lives a big, busy active life despite any physical challenges.
Everything changed though this past September, just after Easton’s eighth birthday.
He was having a routine surgery at CHEO when the team noticed something different about his blood.
Easton was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called aplastic anemia.
His body stopped producing new blood cells. The condition is very rare.It leaves Easton fatigued and prone to infections and uncontrolled bleeding.
Every few days he counts on the blood and platelet transfusions to keep him alive.
He needs to be isolated because his immune system is so weak.
“It’s been tough since this diagnosis,” explains his mother, Amanda Harris.
“Easton has already been through so much in his life, but not being able to go to school, or play sledge hockey and see his friends is tough.”
Easton Harris requires blood and platelet transfusions every few days due to a rare blood disorder. (Courtesy Harris family)
Easton focuses on the positive. He is really happy about the rink his dad built in the yard.
And Easton is very excited about a new hockey goal—this one with Canadian Blood Services.
The blood that is keeping him going comes from volunteer donors.
Easton is hoping that in sharing his story there will be new blood donors.
A lot of them.
Easton is asking for 75 people to sign up and donate blood in his name.
He calls his campaign, (yes, the eight-year-old named it himself) “Easton’s Hockey Fight For Life”.
“Donating blood, platelets or plasma is one of the most generous things you can do,” explains Jan Grant, Canadian Blood Services Territory Manager of Donor Relations and Collections in Ottawa.
“Every minute of every day, a patient in Canada needs blood – this could be for a chronic health condition, like in Easton’s case, a traumatic accident, cancer treatment or surgery.”
Thousands of new donors are needed each year.
It takes about an hour.
For the mother of a little boy counting on that, gratitude runs deep for the donors and for the care Easton’s receiving.
“We are so thankful for everybody,” shares Amanda Harris.
“CHEO, Canadian Blood Services, every nurse and doctor. But there’s so many people we don’t get a chance to thank, from the people cleaning his room at the hospital to the blood donors.”
Easton Harris at CHEO with his favourite Ottawa Senator, Brady Tkachuk. (Courtesy Harris Family)
Amanda says her son is a very strong child. Her heart is warmed to see and feel the community support.
“They’re what helps us through these tough times and sleepless nights.”
And there are sleepless nights. If Easton doesn’t respond to this treatment, he will require a bone marrow transplant.
This is all very new for the Harris family.
Prior to Easton’s diagnosis with aplastic anemia, the Harrises didn’t know the need for blood donation.
They didn’t know that 100,000 new blood donors are needed in Canada this year to keep up with demand; that half of all Canadians will either need blood or know someone who will need blood.
The most surprising fact often shared by Canadian Blood Services says, Jan Grant, is “that less than four per cent of eligible donors sustain the blood system for all Canadians.”
“It can sometimes take four to five donors to create one treatment,” explains Grant.
One little boy, through his “hockey fight for life”, is making we grown-ups more aware of how important it is to roll up those sleeves.
If you would like to join Easton’s blood team you can follow these steps:
- Go to blood.ca
- Sign in or create an account
- Search "Easton's Hockey Fight for Life"
- Book an appointment to donate blood
- Be sure to check the eligibility [myaccount.blood.ca] quiz before you book.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.