Our President Jackie and committee member Lisa recently had the opportunity to meet up with Gary while they were in Brisbane.
Gary is an incredible blood donor, donating plasma every fortnight. He has made an astounding 671 life time donations and is still going strong. Gary is also a passionate advocate for blood donation in his corporate workplace and beyond.
Jackie has Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), and in the 19 years since her diagnosis has received 535 infusions of Immunoglobulin (Ig) as replacement therapy to help her stay alive and as well as possible.
Immunoglobulin products are made by pooling plasma from donors like Gary, so that their antibodies can help protect those with primary immune deficiencies. Having donor and recipient together was an emotional and powerful illustration of the important of blood donors.
After an emotional catch up, Jackie said "Gary is one of the most amazing and generous people I have ever met".