Yukon Family Stresses Importance Of Blood Donations

With school back in session and the holiday weekend here, blood donations are desperately needed.

Thursday, August 28th 2014, 7:00 pm

By: News 9


With school back in session and the holiday weekend here, blood donations are desperately needed.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is holding a blood drive tomorrow, and one metro family knows better than most just how important blood donations can be.

“It doesn't matter until it matters to you,” said mother, Dawn Novosad. “It really is the difference between life and death.”

Gage Novosad, 9, is a fourth grader at Lakeview Elementary in Yukon.

Last year, his family received devastating news.

“The day that we found out Gage had Leukemia, one of the first things they told us was to get straight to Children's for a blood transfusion,” Dawn said.

Gage was diagnosed with Leukemia in June of last year. Since that diagnosis, Gage has gotten eight units of blood. That blood has come from several different donors.

“It's very important that people get out and donate,” said Dawn. “It's just something easy you can do that really can save someone's life.”

Gage's mom says every time he's gotten blood, you can immediately see the results. Within 30 minutes, they say his color goes back to normal, his energy level is up and his appetite returns.

“After that, I felt way better than I was,” said Gage. “I was this pale, skinny dude.”

While these days Gage is feeling much better, he still has his white blood cell count tested every week, and more transfusions are not out of the question.

“We don't have a simple cure for cancer, but we do have a cure for something like this if you just need blood,” said Dawn. “That's easy.”

Gage has a very simple message for everyone.

“Please go make blood and make a difference,” said Gage. “It's really a good cause, and it saves lots of lives like mine.”

OBI's blood drive is Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each donor will get an OU or OSU t-shirt and a chance to win tickets to Bedlam.

Click here for donation locations.

 

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

August 28th, 2014

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024