The Northern New England Blog

By Lafe Low, Red Cross writer When a parent receives a critical diagnosis for their child, it is a life-changing event. That was certainly the case for Jessie Marunowski and her husband.  “When our daughter was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we were told she had two weeks to live unless we started her treatment immediately,” she says. “When you get handed that kind of news, you’re a train wreck.” Jessie & Lydia Marunowski The treatments for Jessie’s daughter, Lydia, were going to require a significant amount of blood.  “She had a long protocol of chemotherapy. Sometimes she’s had three different kinds [of chemotherapy] in one day,” says Jessie. “She also had lumbar punctures; the fancy name for spinal taps. She had lot of blood transfusions.” Seeing how this donated blood truly saved her daughter’s life had a profound impact on Jessie.  “When you watch your child getting blood to help save her life, it’s pretty influential. After two and a h...