The mother of two young sons with hemophilia – one of whom also has leukemia – is challenging the public to donate blood to counter the shortage faced by Canadian Blood Services.

Like most four-year-olds, Port Coquitlam resident Mitch Head likes to play. But unlike most little boys his age he is also battling leukemia, and like his six-year-old brother Nelson he also lives with hemophilia.

Hemophilia is a rare genetic disease in which the blood doesn’t clot properly, often resulting in profuse bleeding from even the most gentle of bumps. Leukemia is a cancer that begins in the blood stem cells.

Both boys were in for routine blood work in June when doctors made the cancer diagnosis.

“We felt like the earth had swallowed us whole,” said mother Kathleen Head, her voice breaking. “We were already dealing with so much, and to be hit by that was a big shock… we had no indication this was coming.”

Mitch’s cancer treatment has already meant two blood and two platelet transfusions, so when his mom saw an urgent plea from Canadian Blood Services for more donors across the country she turned to social media, using her son’s story to challenge others.

“If we can just get the word out to everybody it would just take the stress off parents at a really horrible time,” she said.

Canadian Blood Services says summer is a tough time as many donors are away. More than 32,000 donors across the country are being asked to give blood before Sept. 5, or Labour Day.

The organization is in need of all types of blood- but says the universal blood O Negative is the most in demand.

Meanwhile, Kathleen is encouraged by the number of people who have responded to her online posts.

“A lot of them have said, ‘I already donate but I’m going to make another appointment’, or ‘I had no idea, I’m going to donate,’” she said.

While Mitch will live with hemophilia for the rest of his life, his cancer prognosis is positive. He has received three rounds of chemotherapy so far, and will continue treatment for the next 2.5 years.

“We really think he’s going to be okay,” said his mother, tearing up. “He has been such a trooper – he’s a real little super hero.”

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Michele Brunoro