For the Scalzo household, time collectively has taken on a brand new which means.
After a life-changing prognosis a couple of years in the past, Rick Scalzo is again residence for good — one thing they weren’t all the time certain could be potential.
“I had leukemia, so it was a little bit of blur. All of it occurred so quick,” Rick mentioned. “I went to the Jewish [General Hospital] and all the pieces simply occurred so fast.”
After months of intense remedy, the household celebrated a remission.
However the reduction didn’t final lengthy.
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The most cancers returned in 2024, and medical doctors advised him a stem cell transplant was his finest likelihood.
“I feel it’s the ready that was more durable to see in the event that they discovered something as a result of it was like OK, do they hold treating him or will they’ve a match quickly?” mentioned his spouse, Andrea Pugliese.
Then got here the decision that might change all the pieces.
The household realized Rick’s two sons had been a match — and that his youngest little one, Antoine, would donate his stem cells, which might in the end assist save his dad’s life.
“When the girl from the hospital referred to as me to let me know I’d be donating, I mentioned sure with out hesitation,” Antoine mentioned. “Even she was stunned that I didn’t give it some thought.”
For Rick’s daughter, Felicia, the expertise stays one of the vital emotional moments of their household’s journey — and likewise the explanation why she’s determined to pay it ahead.
“We had been actually fortunate that folks had beforehand donated, and it additionally saved his life in the meanwhile,” she mentioned. “So I wished to present again to the group to verify different folks had that chance as effectively.”
That want to present again has already led her to arrange two blood drives.
She’s now getting ready for her third on Aug. 29, on the Kirkland donation centre, which is at the moment celebrating 5 years in the neighborhood.
“Giving blood takes an hour of your time; giving plasma is only a gesture that can make an entire distinction within the lifetime of the Scalzos and within the lifetime of so many different households,” mentioned Josée Larivée, Héma-Québec spokesperson.
These interested by taking part within the Scalzos blood drive can find more information online.
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