Kirkland was born on November 5, 1997.  It had been a normal, healthy pregnancy but Kirkland’s pediatrician immediately noticed a heart murmur and scheduled an echocardiogram. The echo confirmed that Kirkland had a bicuspid valve with aortic stenosis and a dilated ascending aorta. Since he wasn’t experiencing any problems and it just needed to be monitored as he grew, we were sent home after a normal hospital stay. However, within two days, Kirkland returned to the hospital by ambulance. Because of the heart condition, he underwent numerous tests resulting in a diagnosis of a seizure disorder. Once his medication was regulated, we took him, along with a couple of additional monitors, home with the thought that the worst was behind us.

Kirkland was enjoying the Christmas holidays when he began showing signs of illness. Again, we rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Within two days, he appeared to be doing better until our quiet Sunday evening turned into a brush with death. Monitors started going off, nurses came rushing into the room, and we were rushed out ? something was wrong. Kirkland had stopped breathing. Hospital personnel were able to save him with the aid of his cardiologist. Once stabilized, he was moved to pediatric ICU. There, doctors informed us that he had contracted a rare form of RSV that had attacked his bone marrow. Kirkland’s blood count was very low and he was in desperate need of a blood transfusion. Searches at both hospitals turned up negative for the rare pediatric AB+ blood he needed. Family members offered to give blood but there was no time to process it. A call to Coffee Memorial Blood Center found one precious unit of his blood type on its way to Pampa. The unit was diverted to the hospital and Kirkland’s life was saved. Fourteen days later, Kirkland was able to go home.

With all of Kirkland’s serious medical issues, a childhood illness almost took his life. Eight years later, Kirkland is still monitored by a cardiologist but everything else in life is back to normal. Kirkland is a promising second grader at Happy who has many friends and knows no enemies. He has represented the public at hearings in Washington D.C. concerning blood safety and supply and has saved many lives by sharing his story. All of this was possible because one person gave up one hour of their time to save Kirkland’s life. Blood donors are everyday heroes to us and to the many whose lives who are saved every day by those who donate. Kirkland is an angel among us and received a second chance at life, because of you! Thank you!