Brian Audia stood up in front of a room of about 200 people on Monday night with a colourful chain of beads in his hands.
The Orillia father was the keynote speaker at Canadian Blood Services’ Honouring Canada’s Lifeline event held at Liberty North in Barrie, which aimed to show gratitude to the many blood donors in Barrie and Simcoe County who have gone above and beyond and donated blood more than 50 times in their lifetime.
For Audia and his family, these donations helped save his daughter’s life. Audia told the story of his daughter Rosalie, one, who was born with multiple inoperable heart defects and was listed for heart transplant at Sick Kids Hospital last year. She received her new heart in June 2018 and has received many blood transfusions during her six-month stay at the hospital and Ronald McDonald House.
“My wife had the great idea of bringing this with me tonight,” said Audia when he pulled out the colourful chain, called Bravery Beads.
Bravery Beads is a program that allows children with life-challenging illnesses to collect special beads to commemorate each procedure or event they must endure throughout treatment.
“There’s the transplant, right there,” said Audia, pointing to a red heart-shaped bead. “Without the transfusions, it’s highly doubtful that Rosie would have lasted as long as she did.”
Now, Audia says Rosalie is home and healthy.
“I cannot begin to explain what it’s like to feel powerless to help my child,” said Audia. “It’s an honour to be in a room with all these givers. You’ve given your time and your blood. Thank you for selflessly giving of yourself. Your donations made it possible for Rosie to have a second chance at life.”
In addition to celebrating donors who have donated 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 times and volunteer efforts, a new award was also unveiled.
For the first time ever, the Dayna Brons Honourary Award was handed out. This year’s recipient was Jacob Ingham, goalie for the Mississauga Steelheads and Barrie resident.
The award aims to honour a person who goes above and beyond to raising awareness about the importance of stem cell and blood donation.
After his grandparents were injured in a car accident last summer, Ingham credited the generosity of blood donors for their survival. Since, Ingham has become a fierce advocate for blood donation, encouraging teammates and his social media followers to roll up their sleeves to donate. He also presented a cheque to Canadian Blood Services in March representing $4 for every save he had made as a goalie during the first 50 games of the season.
“Jacob, you have truly shown that blood donation is the greatest save you can make,” said Elaine St. Pierre, territory manager with Canadian Blood Services in Barrie and Simcoe County, before presenting him with the award.
To find out more on how to donate blood, click here.
