CHICAGO (WLS) — You never know who you’re helping when you donate blood.
It could be a car wreck case, a cancer patient or a child.
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A resilient teenager knows the power of generosity.
Like many teenage boys, Will Janowick is a child of few words.
He said he builds LEGOs and plays video games.
But behind his bright smile and love of Star Wars LEGO sets is a story of courage and the life-saving power of blood donation.
“So, Will was born with a liver disease, and that meant he had to have surgery as a child, and throughout his life. Until he was 12 and needed a liver transplant, he had multiple blood donation needs. And then after his transplant, and during his transplant, he also needed blood transfusions,” said father Dan Janowick.
The journey was exhausting. Will Janowick’s parents said his lips would turn blue and he would turn pale when he was in crisis.
“I just didn’t have a lot of energy. It was kind of hard to like being out there doing things for a long time,” Will Janowick said.
“It’s heartbreaking to see your son not doing well and not being able to do things that a normal child gets to do,” mom Amanda Janowick said.
Now Will Janowick is a thriving freshman with a new liver and a passion for LEGO building.
That’s thanks in part to people rolling up their sleeves to give a gift that can’t be bought in a store: blood.
“Just have a lot more energy, or maybe like, do a lot more, like, play golf, play basketball, like, just go on bike rides,” Will Janowick said.
He and his family continue to advocate for blood donations and emphasize how much good they can do.
“To see him struggle, to see him go through so much is hard as a parent, and you want him to feel better, and one of the few things that would help in some of those situations was blood,” Dan Janowick said.
If you want to give the gift of life, all you have to do is register for 2025 Great Chicago Blood Drive: 15 and 16 January.
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