On Christmas Day 2023, Kathryn Stary spent the day celebrating with sons Max and William. She is one of thousands of Australians who have been gifted this time with their loved ones thanks to Australian blood donors. William lives with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and will dependent on blood donors for regular immunoglobulin infusions for life. 

In the final episode of Season Three of The Milkshakes for Marleigh Podcast, host Kate Fisher thanks Australian blood donors for making it possible for her brother Jake to undergo treatment for diffuse large cell Lymphoma. 

Please make a blood donation to the Milkshakes for Marleigh Lifeblood Team or the the newly formed Milkshakes for Marleigh - Shakes for Jake Lifeblood Team. 

Donations can be made to the Leukaemia Foundation here: https://www.leukaemia.org.au/make-a-donation/#

Please follow Milkshakes for Marleigh on all the socials and www.milkshakesformarleigh.org

Melissa Clode shares how her 8-year-old son Charlie, is not defined by his heart. He has DiGeorge Syndrome which has caused a heart defect, developmental delays and seizures. Through 3 open heart surgeries, over 130 hospital admissions in 8 years, 3 strokes and countless seizures, Australian blood & organ donors have kept Charlie alive. 

The most important part about Charlie's heart is how much he uses it to love life! Whether he is showering his siblings with love, spending time with his service dog Elton, playing trains with Nanny and Poppy, stealing the hearts of doctors and nurses with his magical smile or snuggling with courageous parents Melissa and Daniel - Charlie has a habit of reminding all those around him how magical it is to be alive. 

On this special episode of for International Day for People with Disability you will get a window into the life of the Clode family and how disability doesn't define them, its just part of who they are!

~This episode is dedicated to Francesca Pastega. We promise to always say her name.~

Ian and Lyndsay Pastega have had to navigate the most extraordinary challenges to create their family. Through alloimmunisation in pregnancy (requiring their babies to have multiple blood transfusions before they were even born), premature birth, neonatal death and pregnancy after loss. 

Lynds, Elda (9) and Charlie (7) share their story of navigating premature birth and NICU life, being blood product recipients, grieving the loss of Frankie and the healing power of welcoming their youngest child, Lincoln (2). 

The Pastega's have partnered with the Canberra Hospital NICU Foundation to provide books and resources for those who are newly bereaved. You can show your support for the "Stories from the stars" campaign here: https://newborn.org.au/support/

https://www.canberrahospitalfoudation.org.auThe Milkshakes for Marleigh book can be ordered here: https://kmdbookstore.com/milkshakes-for-marleigh/fbclid=IwAR168JlGAPgDEwIgvbZlaEMFTluCi0EuKADyYO6o0mt0xPcFEtUM3xumYbo

Lyndsay's Her Canberra article about "The pain of silence" can be found here: https://hercanberra.com.au/life/family/pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-month-life-after-frankie/

Please book a blood donation with Lifeblood by calling 13 14 95 learn more about blood donation advocacy here: www.milkshakesformarleigh.org