Desperate plea as bride fights for life
MP demands government action as couple’s quest highlights dire shortage
A YOUNG newlywed is relying on bone marrow from a stranger to save her life as her plight highlights a horror donation shortage across North Queensland.
Bonnie Black was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer in May after marrying the love of her life, Adam, in Charters Towers last year.
Bonnie and Adam are now living in Townsville where Bonnie is undergoing chemotherapy.
After months of searching for a bone marrow donor and not being able to find one, the Blacks are desperately calling on people to donate in order to help save lives.
“They’re short on donations, so we encourage anyone out there who’s willing to donate blood or bone marrow to do it because it can change so many lives and not just Bonnie’s,” Mr Black said.
“The blood shortage has been so bad here they’re even getting blood in from America.”
Mr Black said the last few months had been challenging for his wife.
“The chemo hasn’t been working the way we’d like it to,” he said.
“Things have been slow, so we’re looking at another five or six months of this.
“This year has been a roller coaster of emotions for us.
“It’s not been a pleasant journey, but you have to stay positive and focus on what we can do.”
The Charters Towers community has rallied behind the young couple – fundraising more than $40,000 to help cover medical and accommodation expenses.
“It’s honestly been unreal,” Mr Black said.
“We’re forever grateful. It looks like it’s going to be a journey ahead for us, and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.”
THE BLOOD SHORTAGE HAS BEEN SO BAD HERE THEY’RE EVEN GETTING BLOOD IN FROM AMERICA ADAM BLACK
Traeger MP Robbie Katter said the couple’s tragic circumstances highlighted the stretched blood, stem cell and bone marrow centres in the state’s north.
“While there are 407 donor centres in Queensland – about a quarter of which are in the Brisbane region – there are only three centres north of Rockhampton,” Mr Katter said.
“People in Charters Towers have to travel three hours to and from Townsville just to go to a centre with limited plasma-only donation options.”
Mr Katter said the state and federal governments needed to work together to streamline the processes of donation services in Queensland’s regional communities.
The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.