Doctor Jim Clark shared a story on social media that made a strong impression on him. Jim told the story of a 5-year-old girl, Lizzie, who needed a blood transfusion urgently. The specialists realised that the best donor for her was her twin brother, who was suffering from a similar illness and had recovered.
His blood matched all the parameters and the presence of antibodies that defeated the disease. Jim asked the boy if he was ready to share the blood with his sister. At first the boy hesitated. The specialist explained that it was the only way to save the girl and he agreed.
Lizzie had a blood transfusion and the specialist noticed that the little patient’s face had turned red again. After the operation, the boy asked the specialist a question he will never forget.
“I operated on a little girl today. She needed blood type O-negative.
We didn’t have one, but we knew that her twin brother had the same blood type. I explained to him that it was a matter of life and death. He sat quietly for a minute, then stood up and said goodbye to his parents. I didn’t pay any attention to it.
But when we finished, the boy suddenly asked: “When am I going to die?” “He thought he was giving his life for his sister! Imagine the decision this boy was making for himself at that moment, mistakenly believing that it was the last thing he would do in his life…
