Blood bank inundated after man’s on-air plea for best mate battling cancer

UPDATE

Paul called back this morning to give 3AW Breakfast some great news, following his on-air plea yesterday for platelet donations.

“After we put the word out yesterday the blood bank was inundated with people coming in to donate,” Paul told Ross and John.

“People were even walking into the Alfred saying, take my platelets.”

Paul said incredibly his best mate Mark was able to get a couple of bags of platelets and is now in a stable condition.

Click PLAY below to hear the good news

EARLIER

A man has appealed for Melbourne men to donate platelets, to help his best mate who is fighting for life at the Alfred Hospital ICU.

Paul Sheehan told 3AW Breakfast his best mate, Mark Hitchins has Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, and there is a shortage of the platelets Mark needs to survive.

“He’s had to have quite numerous blood and platelet transfusions,” Paul said.

“His blood wont clot and he keeps bleeding internally, he’s been placed in a coma.”

Paul said the Red Cross are now searching state-wide for platelets for Mark.

Click PLAY below to hear full interview

Off-air Mark’s daughter Rachael told 3AW her dad was one of the Alfred’s first bone marrow transplant survivors, more than 35 years ago.

She said the Red Cross desperately need male platelet donors, which can be any blood type.

You can find out more about donating here.