Family of Badly Burned Boy Pleads for Blood [Type O-, 100% burned]

Star Tribune ^ | 12.19.05 | Bob Von Sternberg

[wallcrawlr]

The family of a 5-year-old boy from Braham who was severely burned last week is pleading with the public for blood donations such as the ones that have been used to treat the boy.

Sky Williams remains in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center after he suffered third-degree burns over nearly 100 percent of his body.

"Sky's getting all the blood he needs, and the family's request came out of their hearts," said Dr. Elizabeth Perry, associate medical director of the Minneapolis-based Memorial Blood Center. "They just wanted to say help us."

Somewhat complicating the boy's case is that he has O-negative blood and can receive transfusions of only that type. No other blood type has such a limitation. About 7 percent of the U.S. population is O-negative.

During skin graft surgery performed Saturday, he received several blood products, Perry said.

He was burned late Thursday morning when his father briefly left him alone at home. A lit candle ignited his shirt.

Sky's great-grandmother, Billie Williams, told WCCO-TV: "He's fighting for his life, and he needs blood - a lot of it. There's going to be a lot of surgery down the road."

[two23]

Please God, Have Mercy on this little one and his family.

[krunkygirl]

Prayers for this little boy

[Petronski]

What Blood Type Can Donate Blood to Me?**

		CAN RECEIVE
		O -**	O +	B -	B +	A -	A +	AB -	AB
B L O O D T Y P E	AB
	AB -
	A +
	A -
	B +
	B -
	O +
	O -

[Howlin]

I'm almost positive you can.

[null and void]

Sad. About the best anyone could hope for is some other family's 5 year old with the same tissue and blood type dies, and they harvest his skin, and skin Sky alive and transplant the other kid's skin on to him.

This is pretty horrific. I'm not sure I would want to live were I him.

OTOH, medical science is advancing rapidly, perhaps there is an effective treatment right around the corner.

Until then, morphine is good.

[rintense]

What's the quickest way to find out your blood type? I'm pretty sure I'm O, but not sure on the +/- stuff.

[Howlin]

You have to have it typed, but it only takes a few minutes at any doctor's office or blood bank.

[Howlin]

People with O Rh Negative blood are considered universal donors because patients of all blood types can receive O Rh Negative blood.

[armymarinemom]

Prayers all around. I've never heard of anyone surviving burns this severe.

[nicmarlo]

how awful. Sad ping.

[KoRn]

I couldn't imagine what the father must be feeling like right now, let alone that poor boy.....

[Mo1]

I thought O was the most common blood type?

No .. it's O+

[Mo1]

The RH factor is the problem. If he get blood that is + his body will not accept it.

That's correct

I'm O- and I had to be watched when I was pregnant with my kids (they are B+) and had to rec'd shots to prevent problems

[sweetliberty]

I have O- blood, but every time I've tried to donate blood, I've been turned down for one reason or another. Once, it was because of my size, believe it or not.

[null and void]

Too short to donate?

[airedale]

You should be able to donate it at any American Red Cross site any where in the country. I'll ask tomorrow when I give platelets. I'm A+ so my blood won't work and besides I gave whole blood about a week ago and can't give it again for 56 days, but I can give platelets every 2 weeks

[paulat]

I hate to say it, but, please, God...let him go. Please take him up.

[paulat]

Too short to donate?

Please don't be an idiot. I have the same problem. A pint from a six-foot-tall man is a lot less percentage of blood volume than from a 5'-3" 105-pound woman.

[Peleliu1944]

It's my understanding that with 3d degree burns they don't feel the pain right away due to all the nerve endings being burned.

I've heard that 1st and 2nd degree burns are the most painful.

I work for a very large blood center that covers a large portion of the midwest. I will check in the morning if we have received any requests. If not, I'll find out if we can help.

[cherry]

I think you're right .....I don't think that boy has much of a chance...maybe none......hope the docs are being truful with the parents.....God bless the little one and his family......