The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC) is teaming up with Bristol Firefighters Local 773 to honor twin sisters Cameron and Olivia Plourde by hosting a blood drive Thursday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hillside Community Church in Bristol.
Today, the three-year-old sisters are healthy and happy, making it hard to imagine they once weighed three pounds and spent 57 days in a newborn intensive care unit. The twins were born at HOCC in critical condition, 11 weeks premature to Adrienne and Brian Plourde, both Bristol firefighters. While suffering from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, Olivia received double the amount of blood and nutrients needed for growth, while Cameron was born severely anemic. Cameron needed an emergency blood transfusion, and Olivia needed saline to thin her blood so oxygen could reach her organs. Blood for Cameron’s transfusion came from HOCC’s blood bank via donations.
“We don’t take things for granted as much as we used to,” said Brian. “We knew that we were creating life and going to be parents, but we didn’t know how fragile and blessed the experience would be.”
“We are so thrilled to serve as a co-sponsor for the blood drive in honor of the Plourde girls,” said HOCC neonatologist Dr. Annmarie Golioto, chief of pediatrics, and one of the twins’ caregivers at the hospital. “The generosity of our donors allows us to continue our life-saving work for other patients.”
To make an appointment for the blood drive, download the Blood Donor App or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the Sponsor Code: #plourdestrong. You also can call 1-800-RED-CROSS for more information.