Milkshakes for Marleigh

Australian Olympic swimming champion Michael Klim will be reliant on Australian blood donors for the rest of his life.  Michael announced earlier this year that he is suffering from a debilitating neurological autoimmune disorder called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), for which there is no cure. But symptoms can be managed and quality of life improved by the use of Intrav...

The Riewoldt family name is synonymous with AFL excellence in Australia. Both Nick and Jack Riewoldt have had incredible careers in the AFL and Nick now with commentary and sports media.  Nick sister and Jack's cousin, Maddie Riewoldt died at the age of 26 from complications of Aplastic Anaemia and Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome. She has left an epic legacy of blood donation advocacy, research and s...

Mandy McCracken became unwell with what she thought was the flu. Within days she would be in an Intensive Care Unit fighting for her life from Sepsis which would progressively attempt to destroy her body. It was miracle that Mandy survived. Sepsis resulted in the amputation of all of Mandy's limbs but blood donors saved her life.  Mandy joins us to share her stoic and pragmatic version of what its...

Hugh Van Culenberg hates being described as a self help guru, wellness coach or motivational speaker. But he is proud to be described as a blood donor.  Hugh is the Founder and Director of The Resillience Project which has supported hundreds or thousands of Australians to happiness through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM). He is also the co-host of The Imperfects Podcast alongside his brot...

Like Marleigh, Kylie Miller will be dependant on Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusion (IVIG) for the rest of her life to treat her Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. She shares her experience of arriving at hospital for her treatment only to be turned away as not enough people had donated blood and her medication wasn't able to me made. This episode gives so much context and meaning to the phrase we hear...

Adem Crosby may have died from Leukaemia in his teens, but he left an incredible mark on the world during his short time on this earth. Through the work of Team Adem, his parents Brent and Lu honour his dying wishes of continued blood donation advocacy and supporting children and their families impacted by cancer.  You can find our more about the work of Team Adem here: https://teamadem.com.au    ...

Language warning - this one is a bit chaotic and a bit sweary! Libby Trickett needs no introduction. She is an olympic gold medalist swimmer and has beaten the GOAT Michael Phelps in the pool. She is an author, mental health advocate and podcasting queen. She's an Australian icon.  Lib has teamed up with the incredible Paula Hindle, who is an Integrative Health Coach and Physiotherapist. Together...

Sybylla "Byll" Stephen, is one half of of the entertainment phenomenon that its Teeny Tiny Stevies. She is a singer, songwriter, author and a blood donor.  The music of The Teeny Tiny Stevies has been Marleigh's constant companion through her treatment for Autoimmune Encephalitis and has kept her entertained through many a night of the insomnia that is a residual side effect of her treatment.  Kat...

Rachael Casella is a blood donor and mother of Mackenzie, who was a blood product recipient. Mackenzie received a fatal diagnosis of the rare genetic neuromuscular disorder, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) when she was just 10 weeks old. Mackenzie passed away when she was 7 months old. She received blood products during her final days. Following Mackenzie's diagnosis, Rachael became a fierce advocat...

Are you a Carer? Are you a Bereaved Carer?  Emma Madsen, Founder of the Carers Club, joins me to talk about how she supports Carers. Emma self describes as a Bereaved Carer, a term that she coined to described the identity of someone who was previously a carer for someone who has passed away.  Despite many failed attempts, Emma is what Id call an "attempted blood donor" & while she hasn't been abl...

In recent weeks David Mead has retired from his professional rugby league career and in his retirement he is championing the importance of blood donation.  David came from very humble beginnings in Papua New Guinea, moving to Australia at the age of 12 with an Aunt, he had limited English but big dreams. In this episode David thanks the people who helped him to achieve Rugby League stardom.  David...

Blood donor Danielle was just 24 when she lost her partner Jake to brain cancer, at the age of 27. Prior to Jake's diagnosis of Glioblastoma, they had just got a puppy and were looking forward to spending their lives together. Heartbreakingly, they didn't even get to celebrate another Christmas together. Jake received blood blood products during his cancer treatment, which improved his quality of...

To celebrate International Assistance Dog Awareness Week , we share our journey of getting Paddy as Marleigh’s Seizure Response Service Dog and we meet Tracey whose son Cody has Service Dog, Lulu.  Australian Blood Donors saved Cody at the age of two when he underwent 11 surgeries to remove his brain tumour. A trial of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusions was also used to attempt to treat his unco...

Jarrod Week is a professional basketball player in the Australian National Basketball League playing for the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers. His wife Michelle is a Life and Mindset Coach and together they share a gorgeous baby boy.  Michelle's Dad, Shane recently died from Multiple Myeloma which is a rare form of cancer. Australian blood donors gave Shane and his family more time and improved his quality...

Master storyteller, Hedley Thomas is well regarded as bringing the medium of podcasting into the consciousness of many Australian's through his first series, The Teachers Pet:  https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-teachers-pet/id1385379989  and its subsequent series The Teachers Trial: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jtmW5JkU2Zq4bY0FKjF1a?si=40414d982d214682 In this interview, Hedley gives a m...

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 th...

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...

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 bl...

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 lovi...

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...

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-...

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.  Pleas...

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 d...

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/t...

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 pe...