As Matthew Ouimet begins to put his two-year battle with a devastating medical condition behind him, his family continues to do what it can to support others who are fighting for their lives in local hospitals.
On Sept. 12, the Ouimet family will sponsor its second Team Matthew Blood Drive with the American Red Cross. The event will be held in conjunction with a “welcome home” celebration for Matthew, who was discharged from the hospital on August 14.
“This is a chance for people to make a difference,” said Kristi Ouimet, Matthew’s mother. “We want people to realize their potential for making a difference.”
Matthew was born with primary hyperoxaluria type 1, a condition that prevents the liver from removing harmful oxalates in the body. Those oxalates accumulate in other organs – destroying them. Matthew suffered end-stage renal failure when he was just 5 months old.
Nearly two years of dialysis treatments – six days a week – would follow before Matthew received a double organ transplant (kidney and liver) on June 4. He endured invasive follow-up surgeries and daily pain and discomfort before being discharged last month. Since then, Matthew has had to make a few trips back to the hospital, but the worst appears to be behind him now.
“Unfortunately the road to recovery has had several bumps and setbacks, but we know our little boy is a fighter,” Matthew’s mother, Kristi, said. “He is strong and determined and doesn't know how to quit."
The first Team Matthew Blood Drive collected 122 pints of blood. The Red Cross is expecting an even larger turnout on Sept. 12 and is allocating all of its resources in the East Bay to the one blood drive.
“Bay Area residents have been inspired by Matthew’s story,” said Jared Schultzman, communications manager for the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region. “Contributing to the community blood supply is an ideal way to support local patients – many of whom need blood transfusions to live.”
Over the course of his medical treatment, Matthew received numerous blood transfusions – the equivalent of more than a gallon of blood.
The Team Matthew Blood Drive will be held at the Antioch City Prewett Water Park on September 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment to donate blood at the drive, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: MATTHEWOUIMET.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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Who: Ouimet family and the American Red Cross
What: Team Matthew Blood Drive
When: Thursday, September 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Antioch City Prewett Water Park (4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch)
How: To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: MATTHEWOUIMET.
