'He's A Light': 3-Year-Old Son Inspires Ashburn Family's Blood Donation Advocacy

ASHBURN, VA — Heather Bohon recalls having a healthy pregnancy with her son, Alfie. But at the hospital, doctors found an infection that moved to his lungs. The newborn experienced sepsis and organ failure and was transferred from Inova's Loudoun Hospital to the Inova Children's Hospital.

Because his heart and lungs were not functioning properly, he was put on the ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) life support that fills in the function of the heart and lungs. During the time of his infection and life support, he needed blood donations from 80 donors and a total of 44 transfusions, nine plasma products and 28 platelet products to remain on ECMO. Inova believes Alfie may have been the children's hospital's longest patient on ECMO.

Today, Alfie is a healthy toddler. That's why the Ashburn family has made blood donations a regular habit and encourages family and friends to donate blood as well.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Alfie's family will be part of the Blood Donation with Santa event from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Dulles Donor Center, 45745 Nokes Blvd, Unit 160, in Sterling. Families can meet Santa, get professional photos, enjoy food and receive a special shirt in between donating.

Bohon herself has been donating blood since she was 16, and her husband and numerous friends now donate blood regularly ever since their son's experience.

"I just never thought my [blood donation] could ever be needed by a baby, just to know how much blood he needed and how many donors — 80 — donated to a tiny, tiny baby was eye-opening," Bohon told Patch.

The family didn't ask for birthday gifts for the 3-year-old Alfie other than donating blood. Inova Blood Donor Services has indicated that the need for blood donations is ongoing in the populous Northern Virginia region. Bohan says the blood donation process takes about an hour but is easy to do and can save a life.

"It's a nice environment where you just sit, and they're very skilled. They do this all day," said Bohon.

Without any prior knowledge, one wouldn't know Alfie was on life support and needing many blood transfusions at one point. Alfie finished the Loudoun County early intervention program, which helps infants and toddlers needing additional support to learn skills. Alfie learned to eat again after transitioning from feeding tubes and met all his milestones like walking and talking.

The 3-year-old celebrated his third birthday on Dec. 5 with a movie theater party to see Moana 2. His mother says the toddler is "hilarious," runs everywhere, and has been singing Christmas songs since October.

"He's a joy. He's a light. He makes everyone around him so happy," said Bohon. "Even the most curmudgeon person we know just lights up around him. He's here for a big reason. I can't wait to see what that is."