#MightyMack fights on
PARKTOWN – Harrington-Johnson said that despite the obstacles, doctors were able to do a bone marrow extract on 18 June.
Young Mackenzie Friedman, affectionately known as Mighty Mack, is almost six months old and has experienced a roller coaster ride of medical troubles over the past month.
The Gazette wrote an online story about Mackenzie on 11 June [Join the #MightyMack army and become a bone marrow donor*], recalling the young girl’s journey with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Her fight to stay alive and find a bone marrow donor match took off on social media, driving many community members from across the country to register as donors through the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), and DKMS Africa formerly known as the Sunflower Foundation.
Mackenzie’s grandfather David Harrington-Johnson, who is a long-time Robin Hills resident, said young Mackenzie has been through a lot over the past month.
“She was in ICU for a weekend due to renal failure and then recovered, but due to lots of pipes going through her body, she developed a fungal infection. Because she has no immunity, the fungus has got worse and she was at one stage struggling with three infections at one time,” said Harrington-Johnson.
He added that Mackenzie also had a few fits on the night of 22 June but was now stable. However, doctors performed a lumber puncture to see if she had meningitis.
Harrington-Johnson said despite the obstacles, doctors were able to do a bone marrow extract on 18 June.
“We are now waiting to hear her results and see if there is a match for her.”
Harrington-Johnson said he was thankful for the excellent medical care she was receiving at Wits Donald Gordon Hospital in Parktown.
He also thanked the amazing community of supporters, known as the Mighty Mack Army, who have encouraged the family and registered as bone marrow donors over the past few months.
However, due to fears of Covid-19, many events to raise awareness and the number of bone marrow donors have recently been cancelled.
Locals can still register online at SABMR and DKMS Africa, who will courier kits to individual homes and workplaces to make it possible for locals to register.
Harrington-Johnson encouraged residents to continue to donate blood and platelets, which Mackenzie receives on a regular basis. This can be done at branches of The South African National Blood Service in Fourways and Northgate.
“People must be tested to see if they can give platelets, especially for A blood group, which Mackenzie can receive. We would be so appreciative of this help.”
Follow Mackenzie’s progress @MightyMack21 on Facebook or Instagram.
Related articles:
https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/364207/become-a-bone-marrow-donor/
