Two-year-old Brendan's life was saved by plasma donors

What was meant to be a special family holiday in 2007 quickly turned into every parent's worst nightmare.

When Brendan was only eight months old, his parents travelled with him to Christchurch to introduce the little boy to the rest of the family and surprise his grandfather for a 60th birthday celebration.

But after the family arrived in Christchurch, little Brendan began sleeping more than usual and had a high temperature. His parents took him to a local emergency care clinic, and he was soon discharged – but distressingly, around 4am the next day, Brendan began vomiting blood.

At first, doctors suspected a viral infection, but one nurse felt something wasn't right and urged the family to stay for further observation.

Her instincts proved lifesaving. Several hours later, as Brendan's temperature continued to rise, he was rushed to Christchurch Hospital and diagnosed with deadly bacterial meningitis. His parents were told he might not survive.

What should have been a short family trip turned into a nightmare that stretched beyond two weeks.

Thankfully, Brendan eventually made a full recovery from this first serious illness – but this was only the beginning of a long and difficult health journey.

Over the following years, Brendan experienced multiple serious infections, including meningitis, septicaemia, and pneumonia. His family made countless trips to hospital, searching for answers as doctors worked to understand why he kept becoming seriously ill, but with no results.

Finally, in 2009, as Brendan's immune system began to struggle under the weight of these prolonged illnesses, he began to receive immunoglobulin therapy.

Immunoglobulin is a treatment derived from donated plasma, and it's used to support patients with a range of immune and other serious medical conditions.

Over the past decade, the amount of immunoglobulin needed in New Zealand has more than doubled, making plasma donations more important than ever.

Today, Brendan is one of many patients who relies on plasma-derived medicines every week to support his immune system and help him live a healthy, active life. Thanks to these treatments, he's gone from being a hospital regular to living 17 years hospital free.

He's now 19 years old, working full time in the building industry and completing his carpentry apprenticeship – and he owes it all to the kindness of ordinary New Zealanders who stepped forward to donate plasma.

A message from Brendan's parents:

"Your one hour of donating plasma has given our son Brendan a full and healthy life. Thank you for continuing to share a part of your life with ours."