Kate Fisher's new book “Milkshakes for Marleigh” could be the next “Boy Swallows Universe”, according to acclaimed author and podcaster, Hedley Thomas.

“Milkshakes for Marleigh” shares the stories of blood donation recipients to thank current donors and inspire readers to begin donating blood. 

Marleigh Fisher, the eight-year-old daughter of the author, lives in Queensland with an incurable, life-threatening condition, Autoimmune Encephalitis.

(Supplied) Marleigh Fisher with a copy of ‘Milkshakes for Marleigh’

Regular plasma infusions are life-saving for Marleigh, and at her sickest, she required infusions every 10 days to keep her alive. 

The book recounts tales of survival from those who have received blood transfusions, informed by interviews over three seasons of Fisher’s podcast of the same name.

Hedley Thomas spoke with Kate at the Brisbane Writers Festival and praised the book for its captivating storytelling.

“The last time I read a book like this was Trent Dalton’s, Boy Swallows Universe and I can see Milkshakes for Marleigh having the same level of success.”

Kate hopes the book will bring attention to the persistent shortages of blood products available across Australia.

“I had no idea that there were such frequent, critical blood shortages until I had a child who is reliant on blood products to survive. A blood shortage could mean the end of my child’s life and I don’t want other families living with that fear.”

In May, Australia’s national blood collector and distributor, Lifeblood, released an immediate call for blood donors as the organisation revealed their blood reserves were at a critical level and at risk of dropping to the lowest level this year. 

Lifeblood’s Cath Stone said only three per cent of Australians donate blood regularly, but many more are eligible.

“There are about 10 million more people who could donate today, but don’t,” she said. 

Kate hopes readers who have donated blood to think about how their contribution could have saved one of the lives featured in the book—Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, actor and cancer activist Samuel Johnson, or Greater Western Sydney Giants player Phil Davis.

And for those who haven’t donated before, she hopes the book will inspire Australians to roll up their sleeves and consider the life-saving stories they could help create.

“If you’ve been waiting for the right time to become a donor or have been thinking about coming back to donate, this is the time to act,” Stone said.