Imagine that you are 18 weeks pregnant with your 4th child and your 3 year old daughter is struck down by the terrifying Guillain Barre Syndrome. You fear that she may die, but her life is saved by Australian Plasma Donors. 

While still reeling from the shock of this incredibly rare diagnosis, you birth a beautiful baby boy who is born not breathing and you fear that he may not survive. Against the odds he survives those first few weeks, only to be then diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he is only 5 weeks old.  

And then your Mum is diagnosed with lung cancer. Sounds like this episode is going to be really heavy doesn't it? It is actually the complete opposite. This episode is a joyous celebration of life and making the best of every moment. 

This is Jenny Northey's story. Her and husband Peter share their story of Ava and Eli's journey's and how this had lead them to be blood donors and blood donation advocates. 

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This week Reggie Bird won Big Brother for the second time. She shares her experience of living with disability, being a Carer and to thank Australian blood donors for prolonging and improving the quality of life of her mate, Maddie Reiwoldt.

To make a donation or find out more about  #maddiesvision & #fightlikemaddie please visit: www.mrv.org.au

To make an appointment to donate blood in Australia please call 13 14 95 and please add you donation to The Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood Team. https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/donate-as-a-group

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At 11 months old Baxter was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. He is now 16 and a fierce advocate and leader in his community. He and his Mum Noni thank the blood donors who saved his life and allowed him to fight childhood cancer. 

Jeff Steele is a Sunshine Coast local who has now made over 500 donations and was donating platelets at the time that Baxter needed them. This the story of how blood donors save live and keep families together. 

To find more information on the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: https://www.abmdr.org.au

To make a booking to donate blood please call 13 14 95 to make an appointment and to register your donation for The Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood Team. https://www.lifeblood.com.au/lifeblood-of-australia?gclsrc=aw.ds&

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Rylah Joy "rode on the wings of angles and prayer" in the first days of her life to defy all reasonable odds and achieve multiple miracles to survive. And she is not wasting a moment of her time on this earth. 

Teamed with her amazing Mumma and fierce advocate Deb, Rylah is shaking up common popular culture assumptions and social stereotypes of Trisomy 21. She is a model, dancer and brand rep loving her life living centre stage.

Deb refers to Ryan's Rule during this episode. You can find further information here: https://clinicalexcellence.qld.gov.au/priority-areas/safety-and-quality/ryans-rule 

You can find Rylah and her social stories on Insta @Rylah.Joy 

You can fine information on Lifeblood's changing requirements for blood donors who have lived in the UK here: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility/donating-after-travelling/UK

You can book an appointment to donate blood by calling 13 14 95 and please consider adding your donation to The Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood Team. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the age of 19, Adam Cheyne had complications from a rhinoplasty procedure which became life threatening. Blood donors saved his life and have given him the chance to become a husband, father, volunteer and contributor to his community. 

Adam is a co-director of Town Planning Firm, Urban Kind which was Founded by his wife Claire. Together they deliver positive impacts for people, places and our planet. 

https://urbankind.studio

Adam joins us to say thank you for the gift of life. 

Please become a blood donor and add your donation to The Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood Team. Call 13 14 95 to make an appointment. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dean Butcher is a blood donor and blood donation advocate which honour his little sister Holly's dying wish. On her passing from Ewings Sarcoma, Holly shared a letter of 'life advice" with family and friends which quickly became a international viral sensation being shared by millions all over the world. You can find her letter here: https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/australian-woman-died-battling-rare-cancer-penned-inspirational/story?id=52290890

Holly was a blood product recipient and this gave her more time with her partner Luke, family, friends and her dog.

Updated information on blood donation for people who have spent time in the UK can be found here: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/tga-approval-lift-mad-cow-blood-donation-ban-people-who-lived-in-uk

This episode is dedicated to the late Oncologist Dr David Leong of Canberra who saved the life of his "Miracle", Melissa. May he Rest In Peace. 

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Dylan Alcott, Christiano Ronaldo & Scott Morrison have all been in the headlines this week talking about the issues that make up the fabric of our family. 

In this final episode of Season One of The Milkshakes for Marleigh Podcast we catch up on the progress of our family and discuss how families with additional needs like ours are portrayed in society and media representation in Australia. 

Please register here to donate for the Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood team: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/stories/milkshakes-for-marleigh

This episode is recorded on the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a 6 year struggle of infertility, Leonie and Peter were sharing a final meal before the scheduled delivery of their 3 baby girls when Leonie suffered a massive seizure that was depriving her babies of oxygen. The lives of Leonie and all of her babies was in danger and the girls were delivered at 15 second intervals within 21 minutes of the onset of the seizure activity. 

Due to their early delivery and the life treating complications suffered by their Mumma, the girls accessed donor breastmilk and Leonie shares how this was the best choice for their family. 

Leonie documents their lives on the Instagram page The Business of Triplets. You can also find her at her Property Investment and Wealth Creation business : http://wealthology.com.au/author/leoniesloan/

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa Cox was 24 she suffered a stroke that left her with a range of disabilities. Blood donors have saved her life many times and she has now dedicated her life to bringing visibility and ensuring equal opportunities and representation for people with disabilities. 

Lisa caught our attention with her open letter to blood donors published by the HuffPost: https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/thanks-for-saving-my-life-whoever-you-are_b_9744716

This episode was recorded and produced on the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alanna was driving her son from Canberra to the South Coast of NSW when a drug affected person caused a road crash that would change the course of their lives. TJ, a promising young footballer who had just completed year 7, was airlifted in a critical condition where his life was saved by emergency surgery and blood transfusions. 

While his seatbelt saved his life it also caused him to suffer a perforated bowel requiring a double stoma, the loss of major abdominal muscle, fractured ribs and a punctured lung. 

TJ's life will never be the same but the only reason he is still alive is because of blood donors. 

This episode was recorded and produced on the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. We pay our respect to the Elders, past, present and emerging. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.