ATTACKED BY RARE DISEASE

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 9

ATTACKED BY RARE DISEASE

BOY LINGERS FOR SIX MONTHS 'After having been kept alive for six months by the transfusion of two pints of blood each fortnight, Allison Barker, aged 16 years, died of aplastic anaemia in the Royal Melbourne Hospital last week. The disease, which prevents the making of blood, occurs in Victoria less frequently than once a year. Its cause is unknown. The boy was admitted to hospital in August. He went home for the Christmas holidays, and a short time ago ho was again allowed to return home on the understanding that he reported to the hospital. However, he was admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital again in a serious condition. The supply of volunteers for blood transfusion from the Red Cross Society had been exhausted, so doctors immediately broadcast an urgent appeal. Because the boy belonged to a fairly rare blood group, only three of about 70 persons who answered the appeal were suitable. His-condition became worse, and he was given more transfusions, but he died. At the time of his death several pints of blood had been hermetically sealed for emergency. As a result of the broadcast appeal for volunteers many more persons have joined the Red Cross group of blood donors.