Meet Rosie
At 3 years old, Rosie was facing something no child should have to face. In August 2024, after experiencing headaches, bruising and pain in her leg, Rosie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
What started with symptoms her family didn’t fully understand quickly became a fight for her health. After doctors discovered that Rosie had a low blood count, she was transferred to Valley Children’s Hospital, where her family learned just how serious her condition was.
“I never knew how important and serious a blood count was,” Rosie’s mom, Karla, said.
Rosie began chemotherapy right away. Throughout her treatment, she needed frequent blood and platelet transfusions, receiving about two blood transfusions each month.
In January 2025, at just 4 years old, Rosie received a bone marrow transplant.
For Karla, seeing her daughter rely on blood transfusions changed the way she viewed blood donation.
“I’d see the buses and be afraid of getting poked, needles, all of that. But now we know we have to donate,” Karla said. “We saw the other side of that, and it saved my daughter’s life.”
Today, Rosie is 5 years old and has been in remission. She is now able to be active and enjoy being a kid. She dreams of becoming a dancer and cheerleader.
“She wants to do it all,” Karla said.
Rosie’s journey is a reminder that behind every blood donation is a patient who may be counting on someone they have never met. During Rosie’s treatment, donated blood and platelets were an important part of the care she received.
Today, Rosie has the opportunity to keep growing, dreaming and doing all the things she loves.
For Rosie, blood donors helped make tomorrow possible.
