A small act of kindness: Blood donations get Sadie off the sidelines after her aplastic anemia diagnosis

In March of 2024, Sadie’s life was interrupted.

A busy high school senior with classes to attend, soccer matches to play, and a much-anticipated trip to France on the horizon, Sadie was very active and felt generally healthy. But when a follow-up appointment at her pediatrician’s office led to an urgent referral to Boston Children’s Hospital, everything changed.

Sadie was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia — a life-threatening condition in which her bone marrow wasn’t producing enough blood cells. She would need to rely on frequent platelet and blood transfusions.

“Blood donations literally saved my life,” Sadie says.

An ordinary day, a life-changing diagnosis

The day Sadie was diagnosed had started like any other. “It was a random Tuesday,” Sadie says. “I went out to breakfast with my friends that morning, then I went to school and got dismissed.”

Sadie was heading to her pediatrician’s office to follow up on the results of a recent blood test that had yielded abnormal results. 

It was supposed to be a quick visit — a finger prick and then she’d be on her way. But something was wrong: Her blood counts were dangerously low.

The pediatrician sent Sadie and her mom, Susan, to Boston Children’s emergency room, where she was admitted immediately. There, Sadie received blood and platelet transfusions to stabilize her condition. She also underwent a bone marrow biopsy, which confirmed her diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia. There are many possible causes of aplastic anemia, but in Sadie’s case, as with most cases, the condition had developed spontaneously. 

At the time, Sadie hadn’t realized she was getting sick. But looking back, she’d experienced a cluster of subtle symptoms that hinted at her serious condition. Unexplained bruises, bloody noses, and a relentless series of viral illnesses all made the winter difficult for Sadie. And, as the season progressed, Sadie began to struggle in school.

“I’ve always been a good student, but my grades started getting worse,” Sadie says. “I was pulling back from a lot of stuff. I was pale. I had no color in my face or my lips. But I don’t think anyone really noticed because it happened so slowly.”

Sadie’s care team becomes a second family

When a team of doctors first entered her hospital room, Sadie was worried. “It was intimidating,” she recalls. “It felt really weird, like, oh, this is serious. But they were all super nice. They explained everything really well. I never felt like I was in the dark.”

Sadie’s treatment began right away, under the care of blood disorder specialist Dr. Grant Rowe and nurse practitioners Christina Barbera and Karyn Brundige. She received frequent blood and platelet transfusions at the Jimmy Fund Clinic through the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. To make these procedures easier on Sadie, her team surgically placed a port in her chest.

Then, in late April, Sadie underwent antithymocyte globulin (ATG) therapy, a specialized treatment aimed at helping her bone marrow recover. “That week I was supposed to be in France on a school trip with my friends,” Sadie says. “So it was hard for me — not just because of the treatment, but emotionally.”

Missing out on school, soccer, and social activities was difficult for Sadie. But thanks to her care team, she was able to find joy in her toughest moments. Sadie’s nurses helped boost her spirits in creative, compassionate ways, including bringing Taylor Swift-themed snacks during her treatments. “The nurses basically became a second family,” Sadie says. “They’re just all so sweet and supportive.”

Organizing community to channel gratitude

It’s been months since Sadie last needed a transfusion. But the blood and platelet donations she’s received from Boston Children’s Blood Donor Center have been a lifeline. Inspired by the impact blood donors have had on her life, Sadie decided to pay it forward. “It’s so important that people donate blood,” Sadie says. “It’s such a small act of kindness, but it literally saves people’s lives every day.”

So, this summer, she hosted her first blood drive.

The response from her community was overwhelming. “You never really know how many people support you until something bad happens,” Sadie says.

Friends, family, former teachers, and classmates all came together to donate. “One of our good friends made cookies for everybody that was donating,” Sadie recalls. “And my best friend donated blood for the first time. She was super nervous about it, but she said, ‘I’m going to do it for you.’ It made me feel really supported.”

Now, Sadie is planning her next blood drive in December, a time of year when donations are in high demand.

Achieving the never-thought-possible

Sadie’s come a long way since her diagnosis in March. After months spent on the sidelines watching her friends play soccer, she was finally cleared to join her team again — with a chest protector for safety. “I was able to get in a couple of games and score,” she says. “That made it all better.”

Today, Sadie is excited about her life’s next chapter. She’s sent out her college applications and is looking forward to playing club soccer when she gets there. But though her eyes are fixed on the future, Sadie’s heart is in the present. And she’s taking time to appreciate the simple, beautiful moments in her life.

“When I was undergoing treatment, I really didn’t think I’d be where I am right now,” Sadie says. “I’m so much more grateful for those little things in life, like being able to see my friends or going out and eating dinner somewhere.”

She adds, “I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.”

Make an appointment to donate blood and help children like Sadie.