Introducing Mark Reid
You may have already seen Mark Reid recently on our social media pages, however, we would like to take the opportunity to formally introduce him as our very first Australian Marrow Match (AMM) Ambassador
Mark was diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) in 2019 and needed a stem cell transplant to survive. Through the generosity of a young Australian man, who had signed up to be a stem cell donor, Mark received his lifesaving transplant in 2020 and continues to go from strength to strength.
Mark lives just outside of Hobart in Tasmania. He has an amazingly supportive family, including his wife Carmon and his two boys Colby and Charlie. The family loves wakeboarding and mountain bike riding together and they all have a a passion for footy. Mark coaches his son Charlie’s Under 14 team and is a die hard Swans supporter. Mark works as a Project Manager for Sackett Services, who provide heating and air conditioning services throughout Southern Tasmania. He has thoroughly appreciated the support, care and understanding that he has received from his workplace since his diagnosis.
AMM counted ourselves very lucky last year when Mark contacted us and said how keen he was to give something back and get involved. After many months of discussion Mark agreed to become our first Ambassador and because of Mark’s involvement in football in Tasmania, the idea of sponsoring a footy game was born. Supported by AFL Tasmania, AMM sponsored a ‘Match’ in Hobart, between Lauderdale and North Hobart. Mark talked to both teams after training, in the week leading up to the game, about his remarkable story, blood cancer, stem cell transplants and how young men can register to be a stem cell donor and potentially save a life. Mark has continued to spread the word through talks at Richmond, Sorell, Hobart, University, Triabunna and Brighton Football Clubs and we are excited to say all this work has generated a great amount of interest. As well as increasing awareness of the need for young, male donors, it has encouraged some of the boys to sign up to through Strength to Give to the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
As well as all the amazing work Mark has been doing with AMM he has also raised $25,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night Campaign, which was the highest total in Australia that year! Read his amazing story via the link below.
https://www.leukaemia.org.au/stories/pandemic-gave-mark-the-chance-to-heal-at-home/
Of course the best person to tell his story is Mark himself: -
Mark’s story in his own words
Blood cancer has become a part of my and my family’s life. One day we are happy, living and enjoying life, working hard and concreting our new BBQ area. I was feeling fatigued and heavy in the legs. The following day a mountain bike ride alerted me to get along to the doctor. A simple blood test and its result changed our lives forever. The very next morning, October the 3rd 2019, myself and Carmon were sitting in the office of the lovely Professor Rosie Harrup, Head of Oncology in Tasmania, a moment and a lady I will never forget.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia was my diagnosis and we could not afford to waste any time on starting treatment. Luckily my diagnosis came early and 20 minutes later I underwent my first procedure, a bone marrow biopsy, and a hospital admission followed the next day. Blood transfusions, multiple procedures, some going well, some not so well, debilitating headaches, nausea, a trip to emergency, full body pain and chemotherapy kicked off soon after.
My diagnosis rocked us to the core. It was shocking and heartbreaking. There was sadness, fear, devastation and so many questions that just can not be answered. Blood cancer takes a toll on everyt part on your life. Firstly it takes over your life and then starts to control your life. It takes everything you thought you had, plus so much more, to fight it as it decimates your body, takes a huge toll on your mind and even has an impact on your soul.
My treatment didn’t just start and end in Hobart. After six rounds of chemotherapy, a couple of stints in hospital and a biopsy, which involved drilling into my skull, a month or so later we were off to Melbourne for the life saving Bone Marrow Transplant. Then Covid hit! Eleven rounds full body radiation, 33 days in hospital, constant nausea for two months, sleeping more than being awake and one more round of Chemo, stronger than any other I have had before, ensured it was the toughest part of the fight.
Four months in Melbourne in isolation with constant nausea and away from our beloved boys ensured not only a huge physical fight back from the transplant but an indescribable mental battle for not only me but my beautiful wife and much loved two boys.
We are lucky that the remainder of my treatment could be done in Hobart thanks to my doctors Professor Rosie Harrup and Professor Jeff Szer, in Melbourne ,coming to a decision that this would be best for me going forward. The treatment conducted in July 2020, of a DLI cell infusion, was the first one ever done in Hobart. I have now had one more DLI infusion which has assisted in greatly improving my levels in terms of transplant success.
I would like to thank my Doctors, Nurses, The Leukaemia Foundation for their apartment in Melbourne, supplied at no cost, and everyone else involved in some way that has helped us along this horrible journey. A special mention goes to a man that always put our mind at ease and has been a shining light with my ongoing recovery both physical and mental. Thank you Ming Xie
of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. I would also like to personally thank Monica from the Royal Hobart Hospital Ward 8A for being there for myself and my wife from day one.
We are positive and looking forward to making this last stage of treatment in the form of a new drug made available to me via the PBS and from there have our sights set on a way out of this very tough time in our lives. I am feeling stronger and better as time goes by and I am constantly working on my mental and physical strength.
Much appreciated and much Love
Mark Reid.
Mark’s Media stories
