BLOOD DONATION LAWS A-POSITIVE CHANGE

RECENT REFORMS GIVES KIDS LIKE MARLEIGH NEW HOPE

- By Emma Levett. Additional reporting by Maisy Rae

For many Australians who rely on blood donations, the importance of having access to the nation's blood supply bank is imperative and can often be life saving.

In July, the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood announced a raft of changes to its existing donation rules, meaning more than 600,000 extra Aussies will be able to donate blood or plasma. For children like Marleigh Fisher, the reforms couldn't come quick enough.

Marleigh, aged nine, has a rare and incurable autoimmune condition that can only be treated with plasma donations. She will rely on these donations for the rest of her life.

“It means every day is a gift from blood donors,” her mum, Kate, 41, tells New Idea. “Moments like her getting on a horse for the first time are possible because people have donated. It's life saving when she's very unwell, and life preserving in between these times.”

Marleigh was diagnosed with seronegative paediatric autoimmune encephalitis when she was four years old.