Leader-Post: Regina mom of twins encouraging others to donate blood

Michelle Grodecki and her twin boys Oscar, left, and James
were at Canadian Blood Services to hand out special thank you
cards to people donating blood on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011.
Here they visit with Joachim Smadu who was giving blood and
registered nurse Odile LeBlanc.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Regina Leader-Post

Twins James and Oscar Grodecki are lucky to be alive for the holidays.

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To donate, call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or visit Canadian Blood Services.

Additional comments and full quotes

"There was times we didn’t think we were going to take our boys home and to find out that they’re here with us and most of it was due to great doctors, but the blood helped them tremendously," said Michelle Grodecki.

Michelle Grodecki and her twin boys Oscar, left,
and James were at Canadian Blood Services to hand
out special thank you cards to people donating
blood on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011.

Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Regina Leader-Post

"I just think blood’s the ultimate gift and it’s one of those things that you give where people don’t get any idea of where your blood goes and to be able to see who these boys are and the fact that we have a great family because of someone like a donor, it was really important to us to come and just say thank you,” Michelle continued.


Michelle Grodecki (not pictured) and her twin boys Oscar, left, and James were at Canadian Blood Services to hand out special thank you cards to people donating blood on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011.

Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Regina Leader-Post



According to Jamie Lewis, community development co-ordinator with Canadian Blood Services, until Jan. 7, 975 appointments need to be filled. Across Saskatchewan, more than 5,000 blood donations are needed.

“The need is ongoing. It’s always there,” said Lewis. “(Michelle and her boys) wanted to think of a way to give back to the blood donors that gave of themselves and allowed her to have extra time with her boys and when they needed it the most.”