From paralyzed to ultramarathons: Blood donations saved this Quebec woman’s life

Anick Nadeau Fréchette beat paralysis from Guillain–Barré, ran multiple marathons, and now donates blood to Héma-Québec.

This year, 20-year-old Anick Nadeau Fréchette has run five marathons, two ultramarathons and a 60-kilometre trail race, totalling 1,200 kilometres by foot and 3,400 kilometres by bike.

She’s currently training for an Iron Man competition in Mexico this November.

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But, somehow, that’s not the most impressive part of her story.

Two years ago, the Sherbrooke, Que. resident was completely paralyzed from the head down after being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that causes rapid-onset muscle weakness.

The body’s immune system attacks its nerves, leading to numbness and paralysis.

It can be a potentially life-threatening diagnosis.

Nadeau Fréchette tells CTV News she remembers the moment the doctors sat her down on July 12, 2023 and told her the devastating news.

They admitted her to intensive care that same day.

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“The doctors were giving me one to two years for recovery, and I recovered in a month,” she recalls.

Her rehabilitation was guided by 40 plasma transfusions, the liquid component of blood that carries blood cells, proteins and other vital substances through the body.

“One might think that it’s a medication made by big pharma, but no, it’s a medication made by [the] generosity of donors,” explains Josée Larivée, the Hema-Quebec spokesperson. “You look at it; it looks like water, and you think, ‘Oh my God, my life depends on this.’ And yes, it does. It did in Anick’s case.”

The treatment saved her life, and Nadeau Fréchette was able to return home two months later.

Now, in between marathons, she’s started giving back to the organization that helped her stand strong on her feet.

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“It’s so important to give blood because when we say it saves lives, it really means it saves lives, and it’s a self-reward after, when you’re done, so I encourage it,” she said.

The minute she was released from the hospital, Nadeau Fréchette says she hit the ground running - literally.

“I was taking every victory with a positive mindset,” she said of each marathon she completed. “I’m doing it for fun because I really, really love running.”

In addition to plasma, Hema-Quebec accepts donations of blood, platelets, breastmilk, stem cells, cord blood and human tissue.

If you’re looking to donate, you can find out more here.