Kobi’s Klub Little Aussie ie hero’s blood drive
Brave Kobi has set up a blood donor drive to help others just like him
Kobi Mcdonald is one very special six-year-old. The Queensland youngster suffers from a rare blood disorder and needs transfusions every three weeks in order to survive.
But while he’s fighting for his own life daily, he’s also determined to help save others in need, just like him. Last year, brave little Kobi decided to start Kobi’s Klub to encourage his family and friends, as well as the public, to make a donation of blood or plasma on his behalf.
Last year 130 lives were saved through Kobi’s Klub, as well as another 100 so far this year. It’s part of the Australian Red Cross group-donor program Red25. Donations can be made at any Red Cross donor centre in the country in Kobi’s name.
“He gets very excited when he sees someone has donated, and is proud of that,” Kobi’s mum Rebecca says. “It makes a huge difference because he’s using two bags of blood every transfusion, and there are so many other people who need them, too.
“The only thing keeping him alive is his blood transfusions,” adds Rebecca, who knew something wasn’t right with Kobi when he woke up one morning in 2012 with a horrific nose bleed.
By 2015, doctors had diagnosed him with CTTP, a rare blood condition that means his body does not regenerate blood cells. The regular transfusions help keep him functioning but, as a result of his illness, Kobi has had issues with his kidneys and has gone into renal failure on two occasions.
At such a tender age, he’s already been on dialysis and suffered a stroke. “In 2015 he went into renal failure for the first time and that’s when we really found out this condition will affect the rest of his life,” says 43-year-old Rebecca.
Kobi spends a lot of time in and out of hospital, missing out on plenty of fun with his three brothers and sister, but you won’t once hear him complain.
“He doesn’t miss a beat and takes it all in his stride. Sometimes he has his moments when he’s tired but he’s such a little trouper,” Rebecca says. “He always has a smile on his face and always cares about other people.”
She couldn’t be more proud that Kobi’s initiative is not only helping him, it’s helping thousands of others, too.
“People don’t necessarily see a lot of where the donations go and how it helps, but without them my little boy wouldn’t be here.
“He needs other people’s blood to survive – it’s as simple as that.”
‘Kobi’s such a little trouper’