Juliette girl thanks strangers for saving her life

JULIETTE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – All month long on 41NBC, we’ve been sharing the importance of blood donations, but rarely do you get a chance to meet the person you’re helping.

Almost every member of the Seitz family is an avid blood donor. They know how important it is to help others you may not know. If it weren’t for that same generosity, the youngest member of their family wouldn’t be here today.

As the only man in a home full of girls, Dave Seitz is definitely outnumbered, but he wouldn’t change it for anything. On top of making sure his daughters get their homework done and make it to their after school activities, Dave has a full-time job at Georgia Power. As a long time blood donor, he also organizes blood drives for the company.

“You never know where it’s going to go and who’s going to benefit from it,” explained Dave.

That was until his youngest daughter became a cancer patient.

“There were times when she was so sick and her blood counts were so low, without being able to fight off any type of infection. Even the greatest medicines that we have today, can’t fix everything,” said Dave.

4 year-old Kylie Seitz needed blood to survive.

“I have a lot of blood in me that’s not mine,” said Kylie.

12 units to be exact. They helped her get through nine rounds of chemo and 11 surgeries.

“It’s tough. There’s so much you can’t do on your own as a parent to help your child when they’re laying there having to go through surgeries or having to receive chemo medicine that’s on the verge of killing her to be able to kill the cancer off,” recalled Dave.

Kylie is now 11 years-old and six years cancer free. The aspiring singer and actress hopes to be able to play soccer again.

“I played it before I got cancer,” recalled Kylie.

Because of life-saving blood donations, Kylie has a chance to fulfill these dreams.

“It’s a selfless act towards other humans. Thank you for saving Kylie’s life,” said Dave.

The Seitz Family encourages everyone to donate on a regular basis.

“It’s one of those things I think a lot of people take for granted. That it’s going to be there,” explained Dave.
“Right now somebody needs it,” added Kylie.

If you take an hour out of your day to donate, you could be saving a life just like Kylie’s.

“Next time you have a chance please donate blood to help kids like me,” said Kylie.

The Seitz Family wants to continue helping those in need of blood. Kylie’s sister started organizing blood drives like her father.

The 41NBC American Red Cross Memorial Blood Drive kicks off this weekend. On Friday you can donate at the following locations:

Macon:
Bass Pro Shops – Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Galleria Mall – 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Red Cross Blood Donation Center – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Dublin:
Dublin Mall – 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Milledgeville:
Central Georgia Technical College – 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The drive continues on Monday. You can donate at the following locations:

Macon:
Galleria Mall – 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Red Cross Blood Donation Center – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.