By Airik Myers, Northwest Region

When Alyssa learned that her six‑month‑old son, John, had craniosynostosis—a condition where the bones in a baby’s skull fuse too early—she was terrified. The surgery he needed would require doctors to open his skull from ear to ear and remove bone to allow his brain to grow normally. What she didn’t expect was how critical donated blood would be to saving his life.

During the procedure at Seattle Children’s Hospital, John received a full blood transfusion, followed by a platelet transfusion. Alyssa remembers how overwhelming it felt to hear what the surgery involved, but she credits the surgical team—both a neurosurgeon and a plastic surgeon—for guiding her family through the experience with compassion and clarity.

“They made the whole process not as scary as we thought it would be,” she said. John spent one night in the ICU and recovered so quickly that he was discharged in just three days—two days earlier than expected.

The change was immediate. Before surgery, John’s head could only grow front to back, giving it a bulb‑like shape. “Right after surgery, his head was round. You could see the difference instantly,” Alyssa said. At his one‑month follow‑up, doctors confirmed he was healing beautifully.

Looking back, Alyssa knows none of this would have been possible without blood donors. “He wouldn’t have been able to have the surgery without the right blood type available. Donating truly is very important. Otherwise, this would have caused so many problems for him in the future.”

She hopes John’s story helps others understand that blood donation isn’t only for major accidents or adult surgeries. “People don’t think about babies needing blood,” she said. “But they do. And my son is living proof.”

Her message to anyone unsure about donating is simple: “Please donate. You never know who will need it. My son is here and healthy because someone chose to give.”