Nine To Noon Blood service warns of national shortfall
5 snips
Nov 9, 2025 Michaela Von Sturmer, an Auckland primary school teacher and grandmother, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She emphasizes the critical need for blood and plasma donations, calling plasma 'liquid gold.' Michaela recounts her experience receiving blood from 54 different donors, highlighting the immense need per patient. Her story focuses on the importance of donations for recovery and encourages others to join the bone marrow registry. She reflects on the joy of returning to teaching and family life, all thanks to donors.
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Life-Saving Transplant Story
- Michaela von Sturmer described being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and receiving chemo then a stem cell transplant within a year.
- She credited a donor from Australia and called the transplant an "absolute miracle" that changed her life.
Dependence On Blood Products
- Michaela recalled dropping to under 10 milligrams of platelets and needing many blood products during treatment.
- She explained those products kept her alive, prevented infection, and enabled recovery through aggressive chemo.
Single Patient Requires Many Donors
- One patient can require dozens of different donors over a treatment course, illustrating huge demand.
- Michaela received products from 54 donors in 2016 alone, highlighting system-wide supply needs.