CALGARY – It’s been a very tough year for 17-year-old Jenn Oakes, but she’s hoping her experience will inspire other young Calgarians to join an important effort to save lives.
Oakes lost the bottom half of a leg in a boating accident three months ago.
She lost 75 per cent of her blood, needing almost 100 units of blood – “a super vital part of saving my life” as she put it.
Oakes spoke Thursday at an assembly at William Aberhart High School in Calgary, encouraging her fellow students there to give blood to help Canadians in emergencies like the one she experienced.
It was part of an event recognizing Aberhart as the top school in the country in blood donations last year.
The school is hoping to repeat that success this year.
Student Haley Morris said Oakes’ story will inspire more donations.
“Now we know somebody that went through this ordeal,” she said. “It really hits home.”
Oakes is encouraged by the support, saying it’s helped her recovery.
“I’m so happy to have all my friends with me. It’s very exciting how supportive they’ve been.”
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