My husband and I had our third child in 1993. One week after he was born, Stephen developed jaundice and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare, congenital liver disease. We were told that he would need to have a liver transplant when he entered adulthood.

As a result of Stephen's condition, our family spends more time with medical appointments than most. Between visits to the hospital and my work in the clinical laboratory at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, I see first hand the need for blood products.

My son did receive his liver transplant in the spring of 2006. At the time of Stephen's surgery, eight units of blood were prepared in advance; there was no way of knowing how many units may have been needed. Thankfully, the surgery went well, and in a matter of days, Stephen was not jaundiced for the first time in years!

We are forever grateful to all the healthcare professionals who continue to take such good care of our son, and also to those individuals who donate their time and blood to make surgeries like Stephen's possible. If you are a healthy adult, and have never donated, please consider it. Someone's family will benefit.

Thank you.

Judy Mercuri, MLT
Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Red Cross blood donors help patients just like Stephen in cities and towns throughout New England and across the United States. Please….give blood.

Patient Stories