'Things are looking up': How blood donations helped fight a boy's brain cancer
An 11-year-old boy has a bright future ahead after blood and platelet donations helped him fight off brain cancer.
Adrian Dyck was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer two years ago when he was nine.
"When we first found out that he had a brain tumour, we were just kind of stunned and in shock," said Adrian's mom, Sashira Gafic. "We didn’t know what was going to happen, it was really dark."
Adrian underwent brain surgery, radiation treatments, and then chemotherapy in order to fight off the cancer.
"Pretty much every round of chemo, he needed both blood and platelets," said Gafic.
Adrian received a total of six blood transfusions and eight platelet transfers over the course of his cancer treatments. Gafic had to turn to friends and family for help because she and Adrian's father are not able to donate blood.
"Both of us are so grateful to people who are able to donate and do," said Gafic.
Her best friend, Rose Marie Mauer, also stepped up for the cause, donating seven times since Adrian's first cancer diagnosis.
"It's like a peaceful happy feeling knowing that you can do something so simple," said Mauer.
Six months after Adrian's last chemotherapy treatment, Gafic said he is on the road to recovery.
"His body is getting back to normal," she said. "There's still a lot of hurdles, but he doesn’t need blood products anymore, and things are looking up."
The Hero in You campaign continues throughout the month of November with the goal of filling four more blood donation appointments.
You can book a blood donation appointment by using the GiveBlood app, going to blood.ca, or calling 1-888-2-donate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.