PLYMOUTH, Minn. - One blood donor can save the lives of up to three people each time he or she gives. These donations are lifesavers for a Sartell family.

Three of them rely on the generosity of blood donors because of an immune deficiency.

Sarah and Nick Condon of Sartell have three daughters, seven-year-old Kianna and six-year-old twins Annabelle and Kaylee.

Sarah said, "Just to have them around and to see their smiles and see their enjoyment of life is just its amazing."

Daughters Kianna and Annabelle are here thanks to blood donors.

Sarah said, "Kianna was very sick early on. It started at four months. She just kept getting worse and worse."

Sarah says Kianna was eventually diagnosed with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease, a weakened immune system that makes her more susceptible to infections.

Her sister Annabelle was diagnosed shortly thereafter.

And then, believe it or not, Sarah found out she has it too.

Nick said, "It's been, it's been, to put it nicely, it's been a trip."

Luckily there is a treatment and its blood donors who provide the key ingredient, antibodies found in plasma.

Sarah and the girls get them through monthly intravenous immunoglobulin infusions.

Sarah said of the treatments, "They give us the gift of life they're keeping me my girls alive for us to enjoy life."

Kianna and Annabelle are also aware of the gift donors give them. Kianna said, "Because then I can stay healthy."
And Annabelle's twin, Kaylee is aware of the importance too because doctors say she'll likely also need them someday.

The intravenous immunoglobulin infusions cost thousands per month but to the Condon's, it's the antibodies provided by blood donors that are priceless.

Nick said, "They're so young and so precious and their gift of life that people give by donating blood and plasma is just unbelievable. As a parent I can't say thank you enough."

Sweetly, Annabelle said, "Thank you."

(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)