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Leukemia survivor's family boosts blood clinic

As nine-year-old Sudbury resident Karissa Kruk was battling acute promyelocytic leukemia at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Kids last year and early this year, she required more than 40 blood transfusions. These days, the Grade 4 student at St.
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Cancer survivor Karissa Kruk helped to launch the seventh annual Teddy Bear Picnic Auction at Cambrian College on Oct. 10. The event raises funds for childhood cancer research. Photo by Arron Pickard.
As nine-year-old Sudbury resident Karissa Kruk was battling acute promyelocytic leukemia at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Kids last year and early this year, she required more than 40 blood transfusions.

These days, the Grade 4 student at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School is back home, and doing well.

“We may not know who the people are who generously gave their blood to save Karissa's life, but we want to thank every individual who is saving not only Karissa's life but the many people who require blood daily to stay alive,” said Karissa's mother, Terra Kruk, in an email.

“We thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

Now Karissa's family is working to draw attention to the need for blood donations. They'll be attending a blood clinic at Canadian Blood Services from 3-7 p.m. Dec. 30, where the little girl's father, Dave Kruk, will donate his blood for the first time.

Canadian Blood Services still has 30 appointments to fill during the blood drive. A pizza supper will be provided.

The agency's holiday hours are 3-7 p.m. Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 24, 27, 31, and Jan. 2-3.

To learn more about Canadian Blood Services, visit www.blood.ca or phone 1-888-2-DONATE.

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