Arrow is fortunate to have people taking on all sorts of challenges to raise money for our patient support program. Charlotte Pinney is one of them. Here’s her story in her own words:

This year, I will be running in the Sutherland to Surf 2025 alongside my mum and dad to raise funds and awareness of the amazing support provided by Arrow, the Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation. 

In 2015, my family was struck with the news that Stuart, my older brother, had Severe Aplastic Anaemia, a condition which meant that his bone marrow wasn’t producing the blood cells required for his body to function. We were told that the best chance of a cure was a bone marrow transplant, with siblings being the best chance of a match. Unfortunately, neither I nor my other brother were a match and there wasn’t anyone on the global register who was considered a close enough match either. 

Since 2015 Stuart’s condition has been managed with some heavy-duty medications which themselves have long-term side effects. Two attempts to reduce the dosages since then have resulted in relapse. 

Then, fabulous news: At the end of last year we were told that a suitable bone marrow match had been found! Stuart received his stem cell transplant in April this year, and we’re so happy that his recovery is well underway. 

We owe this second chance for my brother to the amazing medical system and workers that we have here in Australia and the willingness of potential donors to be on the register, wherever they may be in the world. Stuart’s donor is a young lady in the USA and we are hoping, subject to her approval of course, to speak to her in person to say thank you! 

The journey isn’t quite over for Stuart, but things are looking very positive. 

Arrow’s patient support program is there for anyone in Australia having a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, but they don’t receive any government funding.  It goes without saying that donations to Arrow, to allow them to help others who are going through this treatment, are always needed. 

I also encourage anyone who is able to register with the Stem Cell Donors Australia as a potential bone marrow donor. 

Thank you for reading my family’s story. 

How hard can an 11km run be at 7.30am on a July Sunday morning?! 

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Charlotte and her family successfully completed the early morning Sutherland 2 Surf run and raised over $2,000 through their efforts!

We are incredibly grateful to Charlotte, her mum, and her dad for taking on this challenge to raise funds and awareness for Arrow. These funds will go towards helping bone marrow and stem cell transplant patients like Charlotte’s brother through our Patient Support Program.

You can help, too, by making a donation at any time.