Josh McLean, 11, suffers from a rare disease known as chuvash polycythaemia. Josh is the only Australian, and one of few in the world, who has this genetic condition whereby too much blood is being produced that’s too thick, risking clots and stroke.
Josh was five-years-old when his diagnosis was first discovered after a bike crash. Two years’ of testing at The Royal children’s Hospital (RCH) followed. “If the body’s being starved of oxygen, which is what Josh’s cells are telling his body, the body compensates by increasing the number of red blood cells,” said RCH haematologist Chris Barnes.
Josh has his blood drained every three months. He will also take a blood pressure-lowering drug and have drug therapy to slow blood cell production in his bone marrow for life.
“The nurses joke they want to take a video of him having his blood drained to show older kids how to behave. He’s an amazing kid. You can’t stop him,” said mother Lisa McLean.
Donate to The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal at goodfridayappeal.com.au or phone 9292 1166.
