The parents of a young boy who relies on regular blood transfusions are urging residents to become donors, and possibly save a life.Calvin Steede was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at birth.The nine-year-old receives monthly blood transfusions at King Edward VII Memorial to help his vital organs cope with the disease and its symptoms.Both his mother, Nicole, and his father, Calvin Michael, carry the trait studies have found children of carriers have a one in four chance of getting the disease.“Transfusions have made it much easier for my son to live a normal life,” Mrs Steede said. “[Ours] is a heartfelt thanks to those people who have given blood.“It’s not just an act of charity for me. It’s a direct benefit to my son’s life.”Calvin must take medicine each day to help flush excess iron out of his body and he makes an annual trip to Massachusetts for a check-up at Boston Children’s Hospital.Sickle cell anaemia is a serious condition in which the body makes crescent-shaped red blood cells, different from normal, doughnut shaped cells. Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain and organ damage. It can also raise the risk for infection.Calvin visits KEMH three days prior to the actual transfusion to prepare. The transfusion itself takes about five hours in total.“If we did not have insurance through our jobs, it would be difficult to care for our son,” Mrs Steede said. “It costs $1,645 a month, with co-pay at $362.”Calvin was constantly fatigued and in great pain before the treatments, she added.“Now that he is getting the transfusions, he can now enjoy being a kid again and is active as ever.”Both Mrs Steede and her husband applauded the treatment their son has received here and abroad.The transfusions will continue until a cure for the condition has been found.Asked what advice she’d give to people with sickle cell anaemia, Mrs Steede said: “Do your research and listen to your doctor. It is a manageable condition.”Calvin also sent his appreciation to donors.“I just want to thank the people who give me blood every month,” said the nine-year-old.His father added: “We’re more grateful to those people who have half an hour of blood than we would be to someone giving us financial awards.”If you would like to become a blood donor, participate in World Blood Donor Day on Friday at KEMH.Useful website: www.bermudahospitals.bm