Knox’s story: A young life made brighter by donors

Every transfusion Knox receives is more than just blood. It brings laughter, play, and the simple joy of being a kid.

Knox is the sixth child in his family. His parents, Jessica and Andy, expected another healthy baby – just like his five older siblings. But from the moment Knox arrived, his journey was different. He needed NICU care immediately, and at only two weeks old, he received his first blood transfusion because of a rare disorder that causes his red blood cells to die off far too quickly.

Life for Knox moves in cycles. As his blood levels drop, so does his energy. Headaches, pale skin, leg aches, insomnia, and irritability slowly take over. His parents watch his spark fade, knowing it’s his body pleading for help. Then comes the blood transfusion – and everything changes.

“His cheeks become rosy again. His energy returns. He’s singing in the car, laughing, playing…” says his mom. Nurses see the transformation too as he leaves the hospital each month, but for Knox’s family, it feels nothing short of magic – a reminder of what just one donor can do.

Knox is a typical, energetic four-year-old boy most of the time. “He loves basketball and soccer. He’s always ready to shoot hoops on his Little Tikes set or kick a ball in the yard with his brothers,” Jessica says.

Then the fatigue hits, and he crashes. The child who was just running and smiling becomes quieter, tired, and withdrawn. Yet through it all, he never complains.

“He never asks ‘Why me?’” Jessica shares. “He doesn’t compare himself to his siblings or focus on what he can’t do. He just lives life the only way he knows how – happy and full of spirit. Most people who meet him would never guess what he faces.”

For Knox’s parents, this journey has transformed what giving means. Before Knox, they had never donated blood – they simply didn’t know how life-changing one donation could be. Now they see each unit of blood as a lifeline: an hour or less of someone’s time that gives their son weeks of energy, joy, and the chance to simply be a kid.

“We never donated before Knox was the one in need,” Jessica regrettably admits. “We didn’t know. But now we do. We understand that blood donors give families like ours the most priceless gift: time, energy, childhood, and life,” she adds.

Their hope in sharing Knox’s story is simple: to build awareness and inspire others to give. “Somewhere out there,” Jessica says, “another child just like Knox will walk out of a hospital with rosy cheeks and a second chance – all because someone took an hour to donate.”

Stories like Knox’s remind us that blood donations are more than a medical need — they are a lifeline for families facing serious illness. One donation can restore strength, bring hope, and give children moments of normalcy they deserve. To schedule a blood donation appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). One hour can help save lives and change a family’s future.