Rare spinal stroke upended her life
When 20-year-old Brooklyn Aleksic woke up one day earlier this year unable to walk, she had no idea what was happening. The University of Victoria student later learned she had suffered a rare spinal stroke that left her bedridden and sidelined from her sport of curling, a passion she had pursued for years and even featured in the 2024 documentary Curl Power. The diagnosis dramatically changed her life, but it also sparked a deeper purpose for her moving forward.
From patient to advocate
During her treatment, doctors initially thought Brooklyn might have transverse myelitis and she underwent 14 plasma exchange procedures, which required donations from more than 180 people. That experience opened her eyes to how critical plasma donors are, and she decided she wanted to give back in a meaningful way now that she no longer needs the treatments.
Brooklyn organized a plasma donor team and has held donation drives at the Canadian Blood Services location in Abbotsford. The most recent event on December 16 brought together family, friends and community members who came out to help, even as the region dealt with flood challenges.
Community support grows
Since she started the donor team in June, more than 112 people have joined, completing over 275 donations, according to Canadian Blood Services staff. Brooklyn says paying forward the plasma she once needed is her way of helping others who may require it even more. Her mother described the turnout and support as heartwarming, reflecting how people have rallied around her and her family.
Long road ahead but driven to give
Brooklyn’s recovery journey continues, and she has paused school and work for the next two years to focus on physiotherapy and building strength in the gym as part of her rehabilitation. She still plans to finish her education and become an elementary school teacher, but for now she is channeling her energy into advocacy and supporting the medical community.
Her story highlights how a serious health challenge can be transformed into a force for community good, inspiring others to donate and support life-saving medical resources like plasma.
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