DUNDEE KZN: Help spread some hope for Harry

Harry O’Mullane was just a regular farm boy who at the age of four had an extensive knowledge of wheat, grasses and all things related to center-pivots and farm implements.

In late September he was rushed to Hilton Life Hospital, from Maclear, in excruciating pain and within a day was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

Harry has since completed his first 33-day stint of chemotherapy which required him to be isolated in a small hospital room with his parents taking turns to stay with him.

Initially he did not respond to his treatment but has since had positive results indicating that he is now in remission. He still has six months of intensive chemotherapy ahead before going into the maintenance phase of treatment.  

Harry’s parents, John and Sarah-Faye have been brave enough to share Harry’s story while journeying this difficult road in an attempt to ‘play-it-forward’ by creating more awareness of the huge shortage of blood and bone marrow donors in our country.

According to the South African Blood Services “less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors.”

Sarah-Faye highlighted that it’s only once you find yourself in this type of situation, that you realise the true power of a single blood donation as “every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.” 

Pete and Margie Johnson, Harry’s grandparents, stand firm in their faith that Harry will be fully healed.

They are encouraging everyone to join in on the blood and bone marrow drive to be held at the Dundee Boulevard (Pick n Pay Centre) on Wednesday the 17 November 2021 from 10:00-16:00.

As Jody Bennet (Donor-1999) said, “…it is the opportunity, at minimal inconvenience to ourselves, to give someone a second chance at life.”