EDMONTON – Canadian Blood Services kicked off January’s Be Brave campaign on Monday. Along with the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the Kids with Cancer Society, Canadian Blood Services invited blood donors to write personal notes for pediatric oncology patients to go with their bravery beads.
Aidan Sheets was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of childhood brain cancer, last year. The beads are designed to show the entire journey for young cancer patients.
“I get one every time something happens,” said Sheets. The 10-year-old receives a new bead every time she gets blood, meets a new doctor, goes through surgery or ends a treatment.
“This one is for the end of radiation,” said Sheets, pointing to her favourite in a long string of beads. In total, Sheets has received 218 beads. “It just means that I’ve been through a lot.”
WATCH: Special guests from Kids With Cancer Society read the news
“This is really special because our donors don’t always know where their blood donation is going,” said Keri Cable, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services in Edmonton.
“This gives them the opportunity to make the direct connection to a pediatric oncology patient. Even though the blood donation may not be going to that particular patient, we do know that specific bead, as well as notes of encouragement, will be going to a pediatric patient.”
This is the third annual Be Brave campaign.
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