Some small children can find horses a little intimidating, but not Madison Lewis.
Mom Christie says her daughter usually gives a squeal of delight when she sees the horses on her family鈥檚 Aldergrove farm.
鈥淚 think she鈥檚 going to be a horse girl, like her mom,鈥� Christie predicted.
These days, Madison, who underwent open heart surgery just months after she was born, is an active, happy child, who loves listening to music and playing with her many toys, especially her two Cabbage Patch Kids dolls.
While she can be shy around strangers, once she comes out of her shell, Mom describes Madison as a 鈥渧ery opinionated鈥� and feisty child, valuable traits when her daughter was fighting for her life.
Madison was born with congenital heart disease and respiratory issues.
On March 25, just days before COVID-19 travel restrictions kicked in, she was flown to Edmonton for surgery at Stollery Children鈥檚 Hospital at the University of Alberta, where she underwent open heart surgery to replace her pulmonary artery and received blood and blood products that helped save her life.
When Christie asked how much her daughter needed during the surgery, she was told 鈥渜uite a bit.鈥�
After spending so much time hooked up to medical machines, Madison is busy making up for lost time.
鈥淪he鈥檚 been catching up pretty quick, considering her first five months were in a hospital bed,鈥� Christie observed.
READ ALSO: 鈥�Tremendous鈥� response from blood donors has supply keeping pace with demand
鈥淢adison didn鈥檛 have the best odds, and now she鈥檚 just the happiest little girl.鈥�
Christie and dad Kyle wanted to do something special for Madison鈥檚 first birthday and give back in some way.
They鈥檝e never donated blood before so the family organized a blood drive event and are calling on donors to join them at Church in the Valley in 91原创 on Thursday, Oct. 22, the day before Madison鈥檚 first birthday and then again on Oct. 27.
READ ALSO: Study shows fewer than 1 per cent Canadian blood donors had COVID antibodies
Nancy Bryan, Canadian Blood Services territory manager, said both event are 鈥�100 per cent鈥� booked, but there are always cancellations, and there are other donor drives scheduled in 91原创 for November, including events in Walnut Grove, Willoughby and Church in the Valley.
鈥淲e have 180 open appointments,鈥� Bryan estimated.
Bryan said donors can make their contributions at the other events, knowing that they are helping the Lewis family.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very grateful that Madison is on the road to recovery,鈥� Bryan said.
Currently, under COVID-19 guidelines, Canadian Blood Services can only welcome people with appointments in order to follow public health authorities鈥� requests to practice healthy physical distancing.
You can book online at
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
