A fire station in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Quebec, took on a special purpose on July 16, 2026, when Caserne 26 was transformed into a blood donation clinic with a deeply personal mission. For local firefighter Ryan Langton, this year’s blood drive represents far more than a community service initiative—it’s a tribute to his daughter Chiara’s remarkable fight against cancer.
A Family’s Battle Against Childhood Leukemia
Chiara Langton first captured the hearts of the community in 2024 when she was just three years old and undergoing treatment for leukemia at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Her family believed the worst was behind them after her initial recovery, but their world was turned upside down when the cancer returned last year.
“To get that news after I had went back to work — we had just restarted — it was an absolute punch in the gut. It completely rocked our world.”
These were the words of Chiara’s mother, Christine Clogg, describing the devastating moment they learned their daughter’s leukemia had come back. What followed was an intensive medical journey that tested the family’s strength and resilience at every turn.
The young girl’s treatment protocol was extensive and demanding, involving multiple medical interventions:
- An additional round of intensive chemotherapy
- A bone marrow transplant procedure
- CAR-T cell therapy when other treatments proved insufficient
- More than 20 transfusions of blood and platelets throughout her treatment
According to her mother, there were times when Chiara required blood transfusions twice daily because her body struggled to maintain healthy platelet levels. These constant transfusions from anonymous donors played a crucial role in keeping her alive during the most critical phases of her treatment.
From Hospital Beds to Kindergarten Dreams
Despite the grueling medical treatments, Chiara found moments of joy throughout her journey. The spirited young girl continued to dance to her favorite Taylor Swift songs and maintained her infectious smile, becoming a source of inspiration for everyone around her.
As of mid-July 2026, the Langton family has emerged on the other side of this harrowing experience. Chiara has been out of the hospital for several months and has returned to the normal activities of childhood. She has joined a local swim team and is eagerly preparing for her first day of kindergarten this fall—milestones that once seemed uncertain.
For Ryan Langton, hosting the blood drive at his fire station carries profound significance. He emphasized that many donors never truly understand where their blood goes or who it helps.
“It’s not just her [Chiara] — it’s many other children at the Montreal Children’s [Hospital] and Ste. Justine’s that need blood to fight their cancer.”
A Call to Action for the Latin Community and Beyond
The Langton family acknowledges they will never have the opportunity to personally thank the individuals whose blood donations helped save Chiara’s life. However, by hosting this blood drive and sharing their daughter’s story, they hope to put a face to the impact of blood donation and inspire others to contribute.
Ryan Langton offered encouraging words to potential donors who might be hesitant about the process, pointing to his daughter’s bravery as an example.
“She’s the happiest little kid ever. She doesn’t think about it (getting needles as a blood recipient), it’s just something she has to do. And if she can do it, I think anyone is able to do it. So don’t be afraid (to become a donor). You’ll feel really good about yourself at the end.”
The blood drive at Caserne 26 serves as a powerful reminder of the life-saving impact that regular blood donations can have on patients battling serious illnesses. For families like the Langtons, each donation represents hope, healing, and the possibility of watching their children grow up to achieve their dreams.
Community members interested in donating blood can contact their local Héma-Québec clinic or visit community blood drives like the one organized at the Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot fire station. Every donation has the potential to help children like Chiara and countless others fighting for their lives in hospitals across Quebec.
