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| William and Paula Braden |  | William Braden was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease in January 2003 at the age of 49. He immediately began hemodialysis and switched to peritoneal dialysis in March. On Nov. 11, 2003, William received a kidney donated by his beautiful wife of 25 years, Paula. Their daughter Jenae was a trooper and their greatest support throughout their entire ordeal.
Transplant surgery requiring blood transfusions was performed at Rush University Medical Center. Paula is truly William's soul mate! Not only did her blood type match, she was also a 50% tissue match! Today William is in excellent health enjoying the gift of life he received from blood donors and his soul mate. | |
| | Nick Cipa |  | In February 2006, Nick Cipa was admitted to the hospital because his platelet levels had dropped below detectable limits and he had bled out of his capillaries and into areas under his skin. He was diagnosed with Evans Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease where antibodies attack red blood cells and platelets. Nick received treatments of steroids and platelet transfusions before going into remission. In December 2006, Nick had to be admitted to the hospital again, when his hemoglobin dropped to dangerous levels. During his hospitalization, he received 36 units of blood, along with other forms of treatment. Doctors also decided to remove his spleen to help prevent antibodies that would attack his blood from forming. Thankfully, Nick has been in remission for more than two years. | |
| | Glenn Cobb |  | In 2003, Glenn Cobb was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called Agnogenic Myeloid Metaplasia with Myelofibrosis. Before and after an intense dose of chemotherapy, he received many blood products through his course of treatment. A few days before Labor Day in 2005, Glenn had a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor, and for several months following the surgery, he continued to use blood and blood products. Today, Glenn is enjoying life along with his wife, Pamella. He works as a flight dispatcher for US Airways. | |
| | Steven Edmonds |  | At 14, Steven Edmonds was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma, which accounts for 5 to 8 percent of all childhood cancers. He received chemotherapy, along with multiple blood transfusions, to help treat his condition. In addition, he underwent surgery in fall 2006 to remove a tumor behind his left eye. Despite his illness, he remains in good spirits with a great sense of humor and is looking forward to graduation, and he has aspirations of becoming a lawyer. | |
| | Liz Elmore |  | During the birth of her first child, 18-year-old Liz Elmore developed complications due to an iron deficiency. The young mother was in trouble and needed a blood transfusion. Three years later, at the birth of her second child, once again blood donors saved Liz's life. Today, Liz enjoys wine, jazz, sports, country music, spending time with her two beautiful children. | |
| | Blake Harmon |  | Blake Harmon and his family from Grayslake know first hand how quickly tragedy can strike. On Nov. 12, 2004, Harmon was in a car accident where he sustained severe traumatic brain injury and had basilar skull fractures. In order to survive, he was put into a drug-induced coma for 12 days and received seven units of blood, including O negative. Thanks to the generosity of LifeSource blood donors, Harmon recovered and is now an engineering student at the University of Illinois. | |
| | Damian Moldonado |  | Damian Moldonado was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) shortly after his 3rd birthday. Damian would fracture, sprain and bruise easily and regularly suffer colds and fevers. To fight this disease, Damian needed countless blood transfusions. Damian's treatment has allowed for the continued blossoming of a bright young boy who is the life of the party and family gatherings, loves animals and playing with his brother Aden. | |
| | Max Williams |  | Max Williams loves to fly and already has helped to fly a 6-seater Cessna. Max is a very active young man. He loves to go swimming, ride his bike, play with his brother Zach, their dog Buster and cat Winnie. It's hard to believe that three years ago Max was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblast Leukemia. In his young life, Max has been in the hospital 13 times, and received 16 blood transfusions. Thanks to the generosity of blood donors, Max is going into first grade. | |
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