B.C. Mum Inspires Others with Blood and Kidney Donation Journey

A mother from White Rock, B.C., is urging eligible Canadians to consider blood donation after a transformative personal experience. Soon Nick, who has donated blood multiple times, recently marked her 19th donation on December 4, 2025, a milestone that followed her decision to donate a kidney to a fellow mother in need.

In April 2025, Nick came across a post in the ‘South Rock Moms’ Facebook group that caught her attention. A member shared a photo of their friend, Alexis, who was urgently seeking a kidney donation. The post specifically requested individuals with O+ blood type to step forward. Nick, aware of her own blood type, felt compelled to act immediately. “I didn’t hesitate, I was like, yeah, I’m 100 per cent,” Nick recalled.

Following her initial response, Nick contacted the Kidney Foundation to understand the next steps. She underwent blood work, met with medical professionals, and eventually built a personal connection with Alexis. As a mother herself, Nick was motivated by the thought of Alexis’s two children, aged 4 and 5, facing a future without their mother.

On October 6, 2025, Nick successfully donated her kidney to Alexis. She recently shared that Alexis is recovering well, stating, “I can’t keep up with her, she’s running a marathon, and she’s doing great.”

While Nick acknowledges that organ donation may not be for everyone, she emphasizes its accessibility. “They say six to eight weeks is the recovery stage, but it’s honestly the first two to three weeks that are probably the hardest. But after that, you’re fine,” she mentioned. Nick humorously added, “As a mother, I can tell you this: I would say, do it, because then you don’t have to cook, you don’t have to take the kids to their activities, you don’t have to do anything, you just have to sleep.”

Nick’s advocacy extends beyond her own experiences. She encourages anyone eligible to donate blood to book an appointment. “It takes like 10 minutes of your life, and you can be saving so many people’s lives,” she asserted.

Craig Nielsen, community development manager for Canadian Blood Services in Vancouver, supported Nick’s message, stating that while donation appointments typically last between 45 minutes and an hour, the actual donation process only takes about 10 minutes. Donors are often rewarded with snacks afterward, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Donating blood can also be a collective effort. Nick organized a group donation event on December 4, 2025, with eight friends and colleagues from Asahi Canada at the Surrey donor centre as part of the Canadian Blood Services ‘Fall Get Together’ challenge. Nielsen noted that group donations tend to increase participation, as people are often more willing to donate when accompanied by others.

The need for blood donations remains constant, with only four percent of eligible Canadians currently participating in the process. Nielsen highlighted that blood and blood products have a limited shelf life of just 42 days.

As the holiday season approaches, donation rates typically decline. Nevertheless, many Canadian Blood Services donor centres, including the Surrey location at 15285 101 Avenue, will remain open during the holidays. They will operate on December 24 from 08:00 to 15:00, December 26 from 11:00 to 18:00, December 31 from 08:00 to 15:00, and January 1 from 11:00 to 18:00.

As of December 5, 2025, the Surrey clinic had 602 available appointments from December 20 to January 3. Interested individuals can book an appointment or learn more about blood donation by visiting blood.ca.

Soon Nick’s journey from blood donor to kidney donor exemplifies the profound impact one individual can have on another’s life. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of both blood and organ donation in saving lives.