Dying Penticton man makes memories ahead of what could be last Christmas

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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Acute refers to the fact that the disease progresses rapidly and results in immature blood cells.

During one point in his treatment, Cobb was driving from Penticton to Vancouver General Hospital every Tuesday and Thursday. He was on the road about 12 hours each day. He ended up driving the equivalent of around the world twice.

He’s been in remission four times. A failed bone marrow transplant at the beginning of December has left him with few options. He’s surviving thanks to blood transfusions of about a litre at a time, twice a week.

“We’re relying on blood donations to keep me alive,” he said.

Gobeil added that “he’s reliant on the kindness of blood donors who are still donating their blood during the pandemic. He needs platelets.”

Chantal Cobb, Shieran’s mother, called on people to continue donating blood to help keep her son and others like him alive.

“It’s important that people keep donating blood during the pandemic,” she said.

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) said because of the way Christmas holidays fall this year, the platelet inventory could be at-risk. While donated blood lasts 42 days, platelets to treat cancer patients last only seven days.

CBS said in a news release earlier this month that the need for blood remains the same.

“Donor centres remain open to allow Canadian Blood Services to continue to provide essential products and services for patients throughout the pandemic and leaving home to give blood is allowed even during lockdown,” CBS said.

Donor Centres will be open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. To make an appointment to donate blood, phone 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book an appointment at blood.ca.

kevingriffin@postmedia.com