THE MAY FAMILY: Tyler, 8; Victoria, 19; and five-year-old Karlee are calling on people to donate blood and blood products at the 'Brighten a Life' blood drive. Contributed photo As the festive season descends upon all of us, there is an Alton family to which the spirit of giving has a unique, and all too urgent, meaning.

The May family will not be looking under the tree as much as they will be looking for area residents to participate in the Canadian Blood Service's 2007 "Brighten a Life" holiday blood drive.

Five-year-old Karlee May is in Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children battling a virus in her blood, a complication arising from the little warrior's battle with Aplastic Anemia.

She is currently undergoing the administration of a series of aggressive antibiotics.

Brighten a Life this year profiles the need for transfusion support in blood diseases such as Aplastic Anemia.

Parents Andy and Leah May, with Karlee and her siblings, eight-year-old Tyler and 19- year-old Victoria, are inviting the community to donate blood and save lives at a special clinic on Friday, Dec. 21, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Alton Legion Hall.

The Mays saw first-hand the need for blood and its by-products after Karlee was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia last May at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Aplastic Anemia is a blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces abnormal and reduced amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets, which hinder the body's ability to fight infection.

Karlee's amount platelets had been reduced to practically zero and she was bleeding profusely, both internally and externally.

The only treatment for the disease is an immediate stem cell transplant accompanied by multiple blood transfusions.

If anything can be described as fortunate under these circumstances, Karlee was lucky insofar as she was one of the lucky 30 per cent of the Aplastic Anemia cases who could receive a stem cell transplant.

That was because her brother, Tyler, represented a perfect match.

Prior to chemotherapy and the actual stem cell transplant, Karlee received 15 blood product transfusions. All told, she has received 26 transfusions of either blood or blood products, accentuating the ever-present need for donations.

After the transplant, Karlee spent 35 days in isolation, during which time she received another 11 blood product transfusions, until it was determined that the stem cell transplant was a success.

Prior to the latest setback, Karlee was back with her family and on the slow road to recovery. It was hoped that she will not require any more blood products.

However, her family knows that without the blood donations she has received so far, Karlee would never have been able to undergo the stem cell transplant which saved her life.

For this, they are truly grateful, which is why Andy and Leah are urging the community to donate blood on December 21st.

The Brighten a Life campaign will look to collect 1,150 units of blood between now and January 4 to help patients waiting for transfusion support at area hospitals.

It is also an opportunity for members of the community to shine. They can give of themselves, both literally and figuratively.

The theme of this year's campaign continues to focus on being a 'star' within your community by committing to donate blood regularly and understanding the need for blood in areas of medicine that constantly require transfusion support.

"This time of year can be difficult to collect blood ,with many people busy getting ready for the holidays," says Caryna Wilding, Clinic Recruitment Coordinator, Canadian Blood Services.

"This special holiday clinic will help supply our local hospitals with the life-saving blood and blood products they consistently use"

This year, Canadian Blood Services estimates it will need to collect 75,000 red blood cells, plasma or platelet donations nationally between December 3 and January 4 to help meet hospital needs.

Call 1-888-2-DONATE (1- 888-236-6283) to make an appointment to donate blood at the Alton Legion Hall or the January 4th clinic at the Orangeville Best Western, 7 Buena Vista Drive, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Every blood donation can save up to three lives like Karlee's and what better gift to give than to Brighten a Life this holiday season through blood donation?