A grateful Alton family has good reason for urging residents of Caledon and Dufferin to turn out for a special blood clinic set for Tuesday, December 23.

A year ago, five-year-old Karlee May was 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 was undergoing the administration of a series of aggressive antibiotics and requiring massive blood transfusions before and after receiving a stem cell transplant from her brother Tyler.

Today, the daughter of Andy May, a former Toronto police detective who next month will join Orangeville police, and his wife Leah is a healthy little girl.

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

Karlee was one of the lucky 30 per cent of the cases needing a stem cell transplant as Tyler represented a perfect match. (70% of Canadians needing a stem cell transplant will have to find a match outside their own immediate family.)

Prior to chemotherapy and the actual stem cell transplant, Karlee received 15 blood product transfusions from generous donors like those donating during the Sirens for Life campaign.

After her transplant, Karlee spent 35 days in isolation until it was determined that the stem cell transplant was a success, during which time she received another 11 blood product transfusions. Her family knows that without the blood donations she received Karlee would never have been able to undergo the stem cell transplant of which saved her life.

"When one is in isolation a parent can tell within a half hour when a child is in need for more blood products," Mr. May said. "The relief when that bag of blood arrives is indescribable."

"We are truly grateful, which is why Andy and I are urging local residents to donate blood at the Alton Legion Hall blood donor clinic at 1267 Queen Street, Alton from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on December 23," says Leah.

"Donating blood is the perfect gift — it's costfree, it only takes an hour and it saves lives. Priceless."

A clinic will be held a week later at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Centre in Shelburne, also from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) in Central Ontario estimates it will need to collect more than 13,000 blood donations locally between December 1 and January 4 to help meet hospital needs.

During this season of giving, CBS is encouraging Canadians to give the gift that can save a life by donating blood,

"Because giving blood is the most precious gift," the theme of the 2008 holiday campaign, reminds Canadians what each blood donation means to patients from coast-tocoast — your 'gift' is priceless.

During the season, as hospitals continue to draw upon the supply of blood and blood products; the ongoing need for additional blood donors remains high.

If you are interested in donating blood, please contact Canadian Blood Services at 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236- 6283) or visit blood.ca for blood donor clinic information, eligibility information or to book an appointment.