Our Donors - Miller-Keystone Blood Center

Miracle baby; miracle blood - TWICE

When Claudia Aplicano was five months pregnant with her third child, she developed a condition known as placenta previa which results when the placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix. Claudia experienced severe bleeding and was put on immediate bedrest in the hospital.

The family was understandably concerned and worried of a miscarriage. She continued to bleed and needed a blood transfusion. After receiving one unit of blood, however, something amazing happened - the bleeding stopped and the placenta returned to its normal position. The family was told she could go home with her husband and two daughters and complete her pregnancy there.

Miraculous? The Aplicano family thinks so. Claudis’s husband, Alexis Aplicano, the owner of a hard-wood flooring company in Brooklyn who moved his family to the Lehigh Valley several years ago, was thrilled with the outcome.

Working full time and being a dad to two growing girls while his wife was pregnant with their third is no easy task. And then learning of his wife’s concerning condition was a lot to handle.

“I was so scared for my wife and my children and for my unborn son,” said Aplicano during a visit at his home with his family.

The pregnancy progressed normally at home for several months. When bleeding returned, though, baby David was ready to make his appearance to the world and the beautiful, healthy boy was delivered by C-section. Claudia, on the other hand, was weak and there was fear of hemorrhage. She was tired, fragile and scared.

Time for another blood transfusion of seven units. Almost immediately, Claudia felt stronger and within days was able to go home with her newborn.

The Aplicano family is grateful to her doctors and to the life-saving blood transfusions she received because of the generosity of Miller-Keystone Blood Center blood donors. David is now a smart, energetic, athletic, soccer-loving six-year-old. Their two daughters, Andrea and Grace, who were only 10 and 7 at the time of the pregnancy ordeal, remember the time with unease.

“I was pretty young when all this happened both times, but I remember being scared and concerned about my mom,” said Andrea who attends Parkland High School and is fielding college offers to begin her journey to becoming a lawyer.

Andrea helps translate much of the story for her parents. Claudia shared that until she needed it, she had a lot of incorrect information about giving and receiving blood - something that is not uncommon in the Hispanic culture. In fact, Claudia shares that her own misconceptions were disproven because of how immediately she felt better during both bleeding episodes.

Today, the family continues to thrive. Alexis’ business is growing, the girls enjoy their academic and extracurricular activities, David talks about soccer star Renaldo and Claudia is happy and healthy watching her family grow.

The Aplicano family will forever be grateful that MKBC was there for them when they needed a miracle. They express their gratitude by sharing their story & providing support for MKBC.