Baby Sebastian had a rare disorder that caused his body to produce defective platelets and made him susceptible to infections and bleeding. He received blood transfusions twice a week at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. The benefits of giving blood are not limited to merely extending patients' lifetimes, for blood donations are also pivotal in enhancing the lives of patients. For Sebastian Moustirats, the blood donations of countless strangers contributed to a joyous, precious twenty months of life that would have otherwise been impossible. His parents, Cristina and Christophe, organized blood drives in Sebastian's name, in order to ensure blood components were available when he needed them and also to help restock the blood that he was using so frequently. "The transfusions kept him alive and gave us hope," explained Cristina. "They were the reason why we were able to do so many things."
