SCARBOROUGH, Maine — With Christmas just around the corner, donating blood may not be at the top of your list.
The holiday season is when blood donations can be at their lowest, but the need remains.
Blood donations are especially critical for cancer patients, who use almost 25 percent of the blood supply—more than any other disease.
That's why the family of a three-year-old cancer survivor from Biddeford is working to make sure other patients have access to life-saving blood transfusions.
Three-year-old Madison Charland zips through her monthly check-up with flying colors. But it's been a long road for the toddler and her family.
Madison was just 10 months old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It's the most common type of childhood cancer and affects white blood cells, but Madison is now in remission.
Madison's mother, Sherri, said an incredible recovery wouldn't have been possible without blood donations.
"Having blood was the key piece to saving her life," Sherri declared.
Dr. Sei Sze is a pediatric hematology oncologist at Maine Medical Center.
She said blood donations are essential for cancer patients because they provide clotting factors, proteins, and antibodies to help patients fight back, especially after chemotherapy.
"It affects the bone marrow and can impact the body's ability to produce blood cells independently; many patients with different types of cancers rely on blood products," Dr. Sze explained.
Because Madison was so young, she had to undergo multiple rounds of chemo at Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.
"They had to give her transfusions to help boost her system back up," Sherri said.
Madison's battle and triumph over cancer is the inspiration behind helping other patients in need. Madison's uncle, Jeremy Moreau, who is a Scarborough firefighter and paramedic, has organized more than half a dozen blood drives over the past several years. More than 90 people have signed up to give the gift of life on Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Scarborough Public Safety Building.
"Even though Madison is in remission, someone else always needs it," Moreau said.
An urgency that never takes a break for the holidays.
"Patients in hospitals here in Maine and across the country will continue to need blood, and it also doesn't for seasonal illness, which we are seeing a lot of, and for weather, when Mother Nature has not been kind to us here in Maine," Jennifer Costa, the regional communications director for the Red Cross, explained.
Madison, who finished chemo treatments last March, attends preschool, loves pink, and plays dress-up.
And with every positive checkup, there is new hope and tremendous gratitude. This three-year-old is getting a chance to be a kid.
To register for the Madison Charland Legal Blood Drive, click here.
You can also call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.