Kate Fisher founded the Milkshakes for Marleigh blood donation advocacy movement with the mission to end persistent critical blood shortages in Australia and around the world.
International Plasma Awareness Week is held annually to raise global awareness about source plasma collection, recognise the valued contributions of donors, and increase understanding about plasma protein therapies and rare diseases.
Wrap up of Milkshakes for Marleigh’s activities:
- DAY ONE: Kate kicked off the week with a visit to the Maroochydore Lifeblood Donor Centre, Queensland, Australia. She made a plasma donation. Kate’s eight-year-old daughter Marleigh will be dependent on Australian blood donors for life to donate plasma make the Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusions she needs to treat Autoimmune Encephalitis.
- DAY TWO: Kate shared that Australian donors to the Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood Team have saved the lives of 1472 Australians already in 2024. Did you know that every plasma donation has the potential to save three lives?
- DAY THREE: Kate spent the morning doing media interviews from a hotel room in Brisbane as Marleigh had a day of appointments at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Check out her chat here: https://omny.fm/shows/marnie-and-campo/milkshakes-for-marleigh
- DAY FOUR: Kate spent the evening in the ABC Brisbane Studios with Rebecca Levingston, recording for their ABC Evenings Program. Kate spoke about her address to the Women Changing the World Summit in London in May 2024 ( youtube link); the Milkshakes for Marleigh Podcast and her newly released book called Milkshakes for Marleigh: Extraordinary tales of survival thanks to Australian blood donors. Listen to her interview here (STARTS AT 1:01:20): https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-evenings/evenings/104425630?utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared
- DAY FIVE: Kate shared the power of plasma donation in a series of “before and after”, photos and posts on The Milkshakes for Marleigh Instagram account. You can check out Marleigh’s story of survival here:
- DAY SIX: Kate and her husband Geoff, with is also Marleigh’s Dad and audio producer for The Milkshakes for Marleigh podcast, attended The WattleNest Gala in Brisbane. WattleNest is a community that connects businesses and sport to build stronger, healthier and all inclusive communties. Many athletes, Olympians and Paralympians who have received funding through WattleNest to pursue their sporting endevours have been guests on the Milkshakes for Marleigh podcast and/or are featured in the Milkshakes for Marleigh book. It was great to catch up with Libby Trickett; Adam Sheppard and The Invincible Woman, Natasha Price. It was so special to see these athletes, whose lives have been saved by Australian blood donors, be celebrated for their extraordinary success! And to be a part of the community who are raising fund to support the next cohort of athletes through the next Olympic and Paralympic cycle. Particularly as we count down the 8 YEARS TO BRISBANE hospting the 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games in Australia.
GET INVOLVED!
To book a plasma, blood or platelets donation please call Lifeblood on 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au
Please add your donation to the Milkshakes for Marleigh team tally so we can track the impact of sharing Marleigh’s story!
You can now get the Milkshakes for Marleigh book in all good bookstores! If you local doesn’t have it they can order it through Peribo or directly through the Milkshakes for Marleigh website and get FREE SHIPPING!
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