London, Ont., teen inspires cosplay-themed blood donation campaign that's growing worldwide

Thirteen-year-old JackMalott-Clarkeof London, Ont., has been a comic book fan his entire life. Helovesdressing up as some of his favourite characters and attending annualComic Con events.

Buthis world changed in 2019 whenat age 10,he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia his body is unable to produce new blood cells and platelets, causing an empty bone marrow.

Jack's condition requires him to havea blood transfusion at least twice a week. To date, he's received about 130 units of blood and platelets, but that's becoming more challenging with the blood shortage in Canada.

"A lot of people don't donate blood or platelets because maybe they're scared, but you really should because it saves lives," he said. "It savedmine and many other kids' lives."

This inspired Jack to combine his love for cosplay with his need for blood, and start a cosplay-themed social media campaign called Suit up for Jackit involves people donatingblood while dressingupin costumes.

The campaign is now infour other countries.

More than a dozen cosplayers showed up toCanadian Blood Services on WharncliffeRoad South in London on Monday to roll up their sleeves.

Eric Terry, dressed as Spiderman, was one of them.

"I've been donating blood since I was 18 and I'm 32 now, so a long time," he said. "It's touched a lot of friends and family in my life and it's a great cause, so I've kept it going."

Terry started donating after hearing the story ofhis friend, whohad three liver transplants before she was seven.

"Every pint of blood saves three people's lives. We're in such a blood shortage especially in the summerwith heat waves. It's really important for people to donate and we need them to," he said.

"The fact that this has grown past London just blows my mind! It's absolutely incredible to see people from around the world coming out to support those in need."

'Easiest thing in the world to do'

Jack's anemiaweakens his immune system, causingfrequent nosebleeds and petechiae spots that appear on the skin due to bleeding and makes him really tired.

"I missed two years of school because of my aplastic, I haven't seenmy friends as much and I have to wear masks everywhere I go because if I get sickit'll be really bad," he said.

After donating for the first timelast year,Zachary Peebleslearned he's a universal donor. He's now made it an annual tradition to give blood.

"It's a good way to give back to the community and it really helps someone. It's the easiest thing in the world to do just to lay there and let them take blood, and you save so many livesthat's an excellent thing."

Cosplayers can be literal superheroes and save lives, saidTimothy Drake, the campaign's social media manager.

"We thought it wasa unique idea to involve cosplayers. There's an urgent need for blood in Canada. They're really in trouble. You wouldn't believe how many children have blood-related diseases."

With the campaign celebrating its first anniversary, Jack's grateful for the support he's received andhopes the campaign makes its way to as many countriesas possible.

"If people like me don't get blood then we can't live, if it goes worldwide, then kids all around the world are going to have their lives saved."