By Sabrina Benedetti, American Red Cross
“We needed to get blood from the lab into the ICU quickly. If it hadn't been there, we would have lost him. That's the case, for patients around the world every day.”
On June 25, 2011, Whitby “Whit” Tousignant was born to Peter Tousignant and Rebeccah Schaffner in Portland, Maine. Doctors diagnosed the newborn with an uncommon and severe heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which involves the underdevelopment of the left ventricle.
Because of this condition, Whit had his first open-heart surgery a few days after he was born. It was the first of many for the baby boy, and each surgery required more donated blood.
His dad Peter recalls, “There were a couple of instances when he would be bleeding internally after surgery and had to get rushed back in and needed blood. So, we had firsthand experience with the very real need for blood.”
Despite immense challenges so early on, Whit did not allow his diagnosis to define his life. Even during the most frightening hospital stays, the little boy’s beaming smile provided comfort to his loved ones and caregivers.
In the arms of his loving parents, Whit passed peacefully at seven months old. His time was too short, and his parents are extremely grateful that a consistent blood supply extended his life. A blood supply that was only available thanks to generous, volunteer donors.
For years, Rebeccah had been donating blood. On her son's second birthday, she and Peter went to the blood donation center, and in a bit of bad luck both happened to be deferred from donating on that particular day.
At that moment, Peter remembered Rebeccah saying, “You know what, we should do this next year, but instead of us donating, we should organize an actual blood drive.”
Since 2014, Rebeccah and Peter have hosted a memorial blood drive every year on Whitby’s birthday, collecting over 500 units of lifesaving blood at 12 yearly blood drives.
They celebrate his life and those he impacted with festivities like cupcakes, balloons, and raffle prizes. “It's an event we believe in. It's a cause we believe in. And we enjoy that day tremendously,” said Peter.
Family and friends find the day just as meaningful, with various people donating at the drive every year. Even loved ones who live farther away make the trip.
Peter said, “It never stops being special seeing them at the blood drive to not only donate blood and partake in that important exercise, but also to celebrate Whit's birthday and reminisce about what he was like as a baby and our shared experience.”
This year, the birthday blood drive aims to inspire 10 first-time donors to give. Peter has found that after someone donates once, they realize how easy blood donation is relative to its impact and are likely to incorporate it into their regular life.
Besides first-time donors, the drive welcomes everyone. “There's not a prototypical blood donor. It's people who are younger, people who are older, people who are professional, people who are blue collar, and they all come at it from different ways,” said Peter.
On June 24, 2026, from 10 am to 3 p.m., Whitby’s 13th memorial blood drive will take place at the Portland Elks Lodge (1945 Congress Street). To schedule an appointment, visit to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: LoveWhit.
Thinking of his son, Peter hopes others know that, “Everything is stressful when you have a critically ill child in the hospital. There are thousands of parents who experience this type of stress every day. Being able to alleviate one stress point can make a big difference.”
Become a blood donor today and help save a life. Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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