“Acute Myeloid Leukaemia has lifted my life up, thrown me to the ground and spun me on my head,” said Maddy, a 21-year-old cancer survivor from Canberra.
After her diagnosis four years ago with the rare form of cancer, Maddy’s life has been a revolving door of hospital visits, receiving dozens of blood and platelet transfusions that have quite literally saved her life.
At one time throughout her treatment, the hospital was her home for an entire month.
“When I was diagnosed, I felt shocked. I was in total disbelief and lost for words – the world stood still. I will remember that day forever, looking back on a young girl who had no idea how her journey would unfold,” Maddy said.
“Then when I relapsed, all I felt was anger. I’d only just accepted cancer as part of my past.”
Although now in remission, Maddy explains the sense of the disease looming will be something she feels will remain forever.
“Remission is a difficult word to explain for me. There is the joy and strength in conquering cancer, but also like a cloud following me around as a reminder,” she said.
“I wish I could say the cancer is gone and I can move on with my life, but it will always be there. All I can do is use that to keep me living my life to the fullest.”
Maddy’s family has been her rock and support system throughout these four years, but she knows it’s had an impact on them as well.
“I have the most incredible family; I truly wouldn’t be here without them, but cancer entered them on a journey I wish they never had to go on,” she said.
“Their lives and strength have helped me to show cancer that it doesn’t have a place here.”
To the people who help saved her life, Maddy feels an eternal gratitude to their selfless acts of generosity.
“I feel very blessed that so many wonderful people give up their time to donate blood! I have received countless blood transfusions that have saved my life over and over again,” Maddy smiled.
“I would just like to say thank you! Your donations aren’t just a bag of blood to me – they are strength, healing, and survival. Your donations have power beyond what you could know. I am just one person who lives because of a blood donation.”
Maddy is determined to not let Leukaemia win and strives to live her life to the fullest, every day.
“It has shown me pain and weakness, but it has also left me stronger and appreciating life more and more each day.”
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is encouraging any eligible person to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life to people like Maddy.
Between now and 14 November, 12,000 new donors are needed, and 33,000 donations are needed each week to meet the demand – one blood donation alone can save up to three people’s lives.
While one in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, only one in 30 will donate.
Lifeblood have collaborated with six Australian artists, including the famous Ken Done, and every person who donates blood until 14 November will receive a limited edition bandage created by one of the artists as a thank you.
Head to lifeblood.com.au to find out more.
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