Sarah Turpin's final wish: family, friends donate blood

If you look at Sarah Turpin's photos on Facebook, you'll see a very happy young woman, someone looking like they havea real zest for life.

In her arms, or alongside her in a plastic wading pool, you might see Turpin and her daughter Rowan, with twin sons Grant and Ellis.

All things considered, he has three beautiful babies. So you know, she'd be very proud of him right now.- Maggie Sullivan, friend of Sarah Turpin

Turpin's children were all under the age of three when she died on Oct. 3, at the age of 32.

Maggie Sullivan, who was best friends with Turpin since grade nine, fondly remembers her friend.

"She had three beautiful babies that were her world. She used to refer to Rowan as her heart, and Grant and Ellis her twin boys as her lung, " said Sullivan.

So it was a shock that within a week of feeling ill, Turpin was dead.

On a Friday in late September, she was throwing up blood and was admitted to Carbonear General Hospital.

Turpin was there for observation over the weekend, had several blood transfusions and seemed to be doing fine but by Tuesday she was in ICU.On Wednesday, Turpin was sent to St. John's for chemotherapy treatment. She died two days later.

Always up for an adventure

Sullivan said her friend loved the outdoors, camping and hiking, and can't "imagine a world where there is no Sarah Turpin."

"I don't think there are any words to describe her, or words to do her justice. If anyone met Sarah, they would consider her probably one of the most memorable people. She had the best sense of humour and she could find humour in any situation. She was witty, she was so funny."

She had three beautiful babies that were her world. She used to refer to Rowan as her heart, and Grant and Ellis her twin boys as her lung.- Maggie Sullivan, remembering her friend Sarah Turpin

Turpin lived in Bay Roberts with her husband Peter and their children.

She taught at Carbonear Academy and was well liked.

During her week in hospital, she required many blood transfusions in fact, her final Facebook post urged people to donate blood.

On Thursday CrossFit 709, a St. John's-basedgym, organized a blood donor clinic at Canadian Blood Services.

At the event, donors were greeted with a picture of Turpin,and a photo of her children.

Donors were encouraged to sign their names around the margins of the mounted photo, which was then presentedto the family.

149 friends, family and strangers donated

Thursday's clinic was well-attended with 149 people donating blood.

Dana Noseworthy, who didn't know Turpin, came out to lend her support.

"I didn't know her personally, but I know people who did know her. I'm 32, I'm also a mother. So I guess in that sense, I certainly feel similar to Sarah ... so I just wanted to come out and donate in her memory," Noseworthy said.

Sullivan said Turpin is going to be missed.

"I am coping ... probably the best word to use. I don't think it's hit me yet. I speak for the family, this is unimaginable rightnow. It's the worst thing that could happen."

Sullivan told CBC thatTurpin's husband, Peter, is "trying his best."

"All things considered, he has three beautiful babies. So you know, she'd be very proud of him right now."

Future blood clinics will be held in Bay Roberts and Carbonear next month.