Blood donation miracle saves Aussie FIFO worker in Thailand

Puntid TantivangphaisalThursday, August 15, 2024Last Updated: Thursday, August 15, 2024

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Blood donation miracle saves Aussie FIFO worker in Thailand

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe James Lothian

An Australian FIFO worker has been granted a lifeline after a near-fatal car crash in Thailand. Through the selfless acts of expat Aussies, he received the six pints of a rare blood type needed to survive.

James Lothian, a 41 year old from Perth, was enjoying a break from work in Chon Buri, with his wife and five year old son when tragedy struck in March. A devastating car crash left him with catastrophic injuries, plunging him into a five-month-long battle for his life in intensive care.

Initially, Lothian’s condition was critical. Relying on a ventilator, he endured emergency surgeries on his stomach and liver. After his release from the hospital, daily dressings were a necessity. However, the wounds became infected, leading to the urgent need for surgery to remove sections of his bowel. Unfortunately, this procedure failed, and in August, he was diagnosed with septicaemia, a serious blood infection.

Faced with a dire need for O-negative blood—a rare type, particularly in Thailand, where it accounts for just 0.3% of the population—Lothian’s family made a heartfelt plea to Australian expats in Thailand. Their call was answered, and thanks to the generosity of fellow Aussies, he received the six pints necessary to undergo further surgery.

Despite the successful surgery, Lothian’s journey to recovery is far from over. Since May, he has been unable to eat or drink, losing a staggering 40kg, and is currently being fed through a tube. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the mounting medical expenses, which continue to escalate due to his visitor status in Thailand.

Lothian’s sister Stacey shared that the family is working hard to get him home safer to receive good quality medical care. Among the blood donors were Lothian’s brother and father, reported Daily Mail UK.

In related news, a call for urgent blood donations has been issued by the RH-Emergency Donation group to aid a Frenchman in dire need of O-negative blood.

Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.