Robert Learmonth says he does not know where he would be without blood donors across New Zealand.
This week is National Blood Donor Week, a time to acknowledge those who give whole blood and plasma to help others survive and function day to day.
Robert was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer where scar tissue builds up in the bone marrow and disrupts the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells, in 2019.
Since then, he has received 136 units of blood, each between 350–450ml, just to help him function. At times, Robert was travelling to Nelson Hospital every fortnight and receiving three units of blood.
The transfusions bought him time, and last week he received what he describes as “fantastic” news. He is now in remission.
Because of the transfusions, doctors were able to keep Robert well enough while they found a medication that worked for him. That treatment has now put the cancer into remission.
Robert first noticed something was wrong when he began feeling lightheaded while driving. A blood test in 2019 showed his haemoglobin level was 90, well below the normal range of 130–170.
Doctors later took a bone marrow sample from his hip. The marrow, which produces red blood cells, was found to be dry.
While regular transfusions kept him going, they also created challenges. His iron levels rose sharply, requiring doctors to carefully manage a healthy balance.
When his blood count was low, Robert says that even simple activities became difficult.
At these times he would feel constantly tired and unable to go on his regular walks around the city, instead being forced to sit on the couch, or sleep.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to those 136 donors. You bought me time,” he says.
To find out more about donating blood visit www.nzblood.co.nz/give-blood
