It is not unusual to see children in hospital with cancer but it was completely unexpected for two young Sydney classmates and their families when they were diagnosed just weeks apart.
Piper Eaton and Tom Wyse, both just eight, have made a special and deeply personal request this Christmas as the pair battle cancer – please donate blood.
They were in the same Year One class when they were diagnosed with different types of cancer just weeks apart.
“You could not imagine you would be in this position,” Piper’s mum Jaimee Eaton said.
Piper has a low-grade brain tumour while Tom was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma and due to gruelling chemotherapy, relies on blood transfusions.
“Today was his 20th transfusion that was a combination of red blood cells and today was platelets,” Tom’s mum Mel Wyse said.
“They stop bleeding in trauma and chemotherapy but they only last five days after we test it and we take those platelets from blood donations,” Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Jemma Falkenmire said.
Demand for blood is already significant, with Lifeblood claiming it is at a 10-year high.
About a third of blood collected from donor centres is used to treat patients with cancer.
In the lead-up to Christmas, there is usually an increased supply demand.
“It might take 100 donations to keep a trauma patient alive. We then have the added pressure of all the cancer patients we want home for Christmas,” Falkenmire said.
Piper and Tom’s dads are trying to do their bit, between them they have made 50 donations.
Read Related Also: Millions of red crabs decorate Christmas Island for annual migration
“Fifteen minutes then I’m done,” Chris Eaton said.
“It’s always good to know we’re helping other people,” David Wyse added.
10,000 donations are needed in the 12 days over Christmas and New Year.
Donor centres will operate most days across Australia over this period.
There are 15 centres across four states open on Christmas Day including:
-
Queensland – Brisbane and Chermside
-
New South Wales/ACT – Chatswood, Garran, Marrickville, Newcastle, Parramatta, Town Hall and Town Hall DMU
-
Victoria – Bundoora, Caulfield, Frankston and Melbourne CBD
-
Western Australia – Cannington and Morley.
“You just never know when you’re the person that’s going to need it next,” Jaimee said.
