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19 JUNE, 2024
‘Life-saving’ plasma plea By Jennifer Pittorino Without weekly plasma transfusions, 13-year-old William Stary would be living in a “bit of a bubble”. The Kingsville teen lives with a rare blood disease called Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB). The condition requires William to have weekly plasma transfusions, which his mum Kathryn administers at their home. He was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 at age eight, after discovering he was unable to walk while getting ready for school one morning. Kathryn rushed William to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where he began 10 days of testing, resulting in the diagnosis of HIB Common Variable Immunodeficiency, which means his body does not produce antibodies to fight infection. William is one of 20 people in Australia to be diagnosed with this illness, requiring subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy, also known as donated plasma. He received his first treatment a year ago. Kathryn said she was extremely grateful for the “life-saving” treatments, which are made possible by plasma donors. “When he was first diagnosed we really didn’t know what life was going to look like for William, but now with this treatment we are super optimistic,” she said. “It was pretty terrifying, it feels really scary to have a child who can’t fight antibodies so it instinct is to just want to live in a bit of a bubble. “But that is not great for an active little boy.” Since receiving the treatments, William’s quality of life has greatly improved. Kathryn said he is now able to live a full life. “The Royal Children’s Hospital has been absolutely fantastic in finding a way for us to live in the world where William can be happy and safe,” Kathryn said. “For example, he has never been able to attend school camps because the risk of infection has been too great. “But last year because he had commenced the treatment he was able to go on school camp.” Kathryn went to the camp with William, staying in a nearby Airbnb. William was able to enjoy the day’s activities before staying with his mum at the Airbnb at night. “This treatment has afforded him the opportunity to be able to do things that we
William and Kathryn Stary. (Ljubica Vrankovic)_412269_02
otherwise would not have been able to do,” Kathryn said. “He plays soccer now, training twice a week, he is absolutely living the life that he wants. And that is through the donated plasma.” According to Lifeblood, plasma has overtaken whole blood donations as the type of donation most needed by patients and hospitals, with more than 6200 plasma medications and transfusions sent to hospitals across the country every day. It can take up to 15 plasma donations to make some plasma medicines, which is why
so many plasma donors are needed. As part of National Blood Donor Week, which ran from June 10-16, Lifeblood is urging Australians to roll up their sleeves and donate blood or plasma. Kathryn said she would encourage anyone who is able to donate to do so. “It is so easy. It takes no time. It doesn’t hurt,” she said. “I know that people can be a little bit fearful of needles, but the staff at Lifeblood are amazing. “It really is a small thing but has a huge
impact on not only us, but thousands of other people in Australia. “We are so grateful to everyone who donates plasma because they are keeping William happy and healthy. “It is never lost on me that every time I administer the treatment, it takes 12 to 14 people to donate per treatment. “They are life changing treatments for us, this keeps William alive and enables his body to be happy and fight infections.” To donate, visit: https://www.lifeblood. com.au/blood
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