When her grandmother was ill in the hospital, Tanya Roche overheard the nurses talk about the blood she needed.
Grandma Helena Kunz was O-negative, a rare blood type that only seven per cent of Canadians have. The unique type also meant Kunz could only receive O-negative blood. With bleeding disorders at the end of her life, Kunz received several blood transfusions at her hometown Kelowna General Hospital.
Roche shares her grandma香蕉视频直播檚 blood type. So after Kunz died in 2019 at the age of 94, it was an easy decision for the Revelstoke woman to give blood and help others with the rare type.
Kunz will make her third donation Saturday, Oct. 23 in Vernon, in honour of her grandma.
香蕉视频直播淢y motto is always 香蕉视频直播榠t香蕉视频直播檚 in you to give!香蕉视频直播�. It is relatively painless, takes very little time and sure gives you a sense of self-worth knowing that you can save a life香蕉视频直播� for free,香蕉视频直播� Roche said. 香蕉视频直播淢ost people do not think they can give but it香蕉视频直播檚 an easy questionnaire to rule it out, or in.香蕉视频直播�
The matriarch of the large family, Kunz birthed 11 children, raised 10 of them (one died at birth), had 25 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. Her death was a huge loss for her tight knit and loving family.
Along with their matching blood type, Roche shares the same birthday as her grandma. Born on Kunz香蕉视频直播� 52nd birthday, the two shared a special bond. Kunz was also Roche香蕉视频直播檚 godmother.
Roche has over 100 relatives just on her mother香蕉视频直播檚 side and now encourages family and friends to donate blood as a birthday gift. She knows members of her family may also share her universal blood type. In this way, Roche is helping to honour Helen and ensure there is enough O-negative on hand for patients when it香蕉视频直播檚 needed.
A blood donation clinic is coming to Vernon香蕉视频直播檚 Priest Valley Arena Oct. 23 and there are still openings for those who would like to give. To book visit or call 1-888-2-DONATE (36-6283). Blood clinics also take place at Trinity United Church in December and at Armstrong香蕉视频直播檚 St. Joseph香蕉视频直播檚 Church in January. There are no blood donation clinics in Revelstoke, which is why Roche comes to Vernon to give.
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