I took this photo 12 years ago today, as Vicki was busy packing a bag, preparing for a hospital stay

For me, Monday 7th October 2013 is a day I’ll never forget. 

What happened that day that changed my life, forever: my daughter was diagnosed with blood cancer.

During the early hours of the following morning, Margot was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her medical record described her condition as being “perilous”. 

Margot’s platelet count was just 16 – extremely low – a normal reading might be expected to fall within the 150-400 range. As such, the medical team were concerned that she might not form a clot; and from a practical perspective, that would mean that they couldn’t “work” on her.

So the first, immediate step of the rescue plan was for Margot to have a platelet transfusion, to try and stabilise her clotting function. 

A urgent request was made for platelets and then they were duly received and administered. 

Margot’s blood was completely riddled with leukaemic blasts. So, with step one complete, an exchange transfusion was proposed, which involves flushing out all the patient’s blood with fresh red blood cells. 

For these transfusions to occur, Margot was heavily sedated and medically paralysed. The proposal was to keep her under general anaesthetic for several hours, until the transfusions of blood cells was complete. In the event, Margot remained in a coma for a week

It was at best a temporary rescue mission, not a permanent fix.

Red blood cells were urgently requested, arrived and were duly administered. 

I was in a state of shock, but also in awe – it was humbling for me to think that people had selflessly donated blood and platelets, for moments like this.

In all the commotion, I recall asking the nurse whether they had the right type of blood and platelets in stock – she confirmed that they did, but she mentioned that this wasn’t always the case. 

As the platelets and bloods arrived and were in turn administered, I felt very fortunate & enormously grateful to all those anonymous donors who had unwittingly helped to save my daughter’s life.

They gave Margot a second chance at life. And they gave Vicki and I much needed hope.

Immediately thereafter, I felt utterly ashamed. Because, I hadn’t ever given blood.

Our family are unspeakably grateful to all blood and platelet donors – and also to all bone marrow donors – for their miraculous gifts.

They gave all of us more time with Margot, and they gave Margot extra time with her family & loved ones.

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Team Margot Donor Registration Day is a ‘call to action’ for those who haven’t already registered as a donor.

It’s also a celebration of donors of blood, organs & stem cells. 

Thank you.

Yaser

Husband to Vicki and father to Oscar (2007), Rufus (2008), Digby (2015), Humphrey (2017) & Margot (2012-2014)