WASECA, Minn. — Mason Wadd is a teenager full of talent.
At school in Waseca, he is in speech, theatre and drama clubs. In his free time, he's a member of the Future Farmers of America. And did we mention — he owns and co-operates a 5-acre sweet corn business with his sister Kloe?
Mason's success is hardly a miracle. But his journey in life is full of them.
He was born prematurely, due to a rare blood antibody disorder — which required multiple blood transfusions to help save his life.
"Basically what was happening is my blood was fighting his blood off in utero," Mason's mom Kari said. "And so we had three in-utero blood transfusions, one at 21 weeks, 25 weeks and then at 26 weeks."
She said it only got worse from there.
"After his 26-week mark, we did the blood transfusion, and shortly thereafter his heart started to fail," Kari said.
He also had to have a blood clot removed from his brain and several more blood transfusions before he was strong enough to go home.
Kari said all of these miracles were possible because of blood donors — and the miracles continue to this day.
"Mason had a big heart surgery last year," Kari said. "And right before surgery, they needed to secure... a blood supply in case he needed it during surgery. And it was there, and it was available."
"I know firsthand how important it was. We were very, very blessed to have a consistent donor when we needed it for Mason."
Mason says he is grateful for everyone who stepped up with those life-saving donations.
"I just needed those transfusions in order to get the blood that I needed to keep growing. And here I am," Mason said.
His message to anyone too scared or hesitant to give? Don't be.
"Blood is always something that's going to be needed," Mason said. "Yeah, it does take time, but I'd hope they'd see it as worth it, because it can save lives."
If you want to donate blood, KARE 11's Health Fair 11 Winter Blood Drive is this Thursday, Jan. 4 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Minneapolis Marriott West hotel.
Click here for complete details and sign-up information.
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