Relay of heroes in race to deliver lifesaving stem cells to Mia Preston in Brisbane

It was the lifesaving mission to move stem cells flown from the US from Sydney to Brisbane in the middle of a once-in-a-50 year cyclone - with a 72-hour window. This is the extraordinary story of a mercy dash that ended with one hour to spare.

Mia Preston was diagnosed with leukaemia within days of her 21st birthday. Picture: Supplied

The frantic race to save 22-year-old Mia Preston seemed like a mission impossible, involving an epic 13,000km trek and a one-in-50-year cyclone.

Months of preparation and precision timing to deliver stem cells from the US to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for the leukaemia patient’s “one chance at life” transplant were up-ended when Cyclone Alfred prevented the flight landing in Brisbane.

The cold box containing the precious cargo was diverted to Sydney – and with the donated cells being viable for only 72 hours after collection, time was running out.

But the very best of the Aussie spirit was on display as a good Samaritan hired a car and, despite Alfred rolling in and horror weather forecasts, he drove the cold box north from Sydney last Friday, diverting inland to avoid treacherous coastal roads and conditions.

A relay of heroes, including the Queensland Ambulance Service and Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ office, all jumped in to help co-ordinate the race.

Mia is now recovering in hospital after a transplant. Picture: Supplied

With just an hour to spare before the stem cells were rendered useless, they were handed over to the RBWH medics at 11pm on Friday, March 7.

Mia had her transplant and is recovering in hospital.

Garth Healey, from registered charity Stem Cell Donors Australia, told his wife he was going to drive the cold box north, as flying was out of the question.

“Her response was ‘What the hell are you doing?’ but I had no choice, someone’s life was on the line. Along with the American courier Alex Schraeer, who was accompanying the stem cells, I hired a car and set off,” Mr Healey said.

“The car hire place didn’t want to give us a car to drive straight into a cyclone, but when they knew what we were doing we got the OK.

“We hit a few severe winds and some heavy rainfall and went through a lightning bolt at one stage, but we made it to Glen Innes.

“I’m not going to say it wasn’t scary, as it was such an important delivery.”

A Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic met the pair with a four-wheel drive and accompanied the courier with the cold box on the next leg to Warwick, where another paramedic took over the drive.

Mia with her nieces and nephews during her first hospital admission after she was diagnosed. Picture: Supplied

Queensland Ambulance Service acting chief operating officer David Hartley told The Sunday Mail the job of the QAS job is normally to transport patients, not organs or blood, but in times of disaster, emergency planning is carried out to keep the whole community safe.

“We are so grateful to have been involved in getting the stem cells to Mia,” he said.

“We did all that we could to try to get them transported by air but the cyclone was making that impossible and it was decided that road was the safest option.”

Stewart Hunt, consultant haematologist at the RBWH, is treating Mia and said the cyclone created a very tricky situation.

“Everything had been timed perfectly to make sure the stem cells are healthy when implanted,” Dr Hunt said.

“The patient goes through conditioning treatment just before the implant – it is all very well planned in advance. If we had missed this window, there is no guarantee that the matched donor would go through the process again. It really did come close to deadline, but thanks to everyone involved, Mia is doing well.”

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said it was a privilege to be involved in the mission.

“Being able to assist with Mia’s special lifesaving delivery was an absolute privilege for myself and my office,” he said.

Garth Healey said he felt he had no choice but to try and get the stem cells to Brisbane for Mia’s transplant. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“At times of great pressure, like we saw during Cyclone Alfred, our health workers band together to find solutions for tough situations and this was no exception.

“I wish Mia the best of luck in her recovery and would like to take this opportunity to remind all Queenslanders about stem cell donation, which you can do through Red Cross Lifeblood.”

There is no one more grateful for the relay team of heroes than Mia’s mum, Sarah Preston.

“Our family could not believe that the cyclone was due to hit just when the stem cells were due to arrive. We were terrified. This transplant is Mia’s one chance,” Ms Preston, from the Sunshine Coast, said.

“So much work went into the arrival of the cells and the timing of everything is vital, from the moment that the donor donates until the cells arrive. It came right down to the wire.

“When I heard that so many people were working together to get the stem cells to Mia, we couldn’t believe it. We are forever grateful to everyone involved.”

Mia went for blood tests just after her 21st birthday as she felt exhausted.

She was diagnosed with leukaemia within days.

“Mia spent time in the Royal Melbourne Hospital and was then transferred to the RBWH so she could be nearer family. She has been very sick and we are so grateful for the US donor that proved to be a match,” Ms Preston said.

“We desperately hope that this transplant works for Mia.”

Originally published as Relay of heroes in race to deliver lifesaving stem cells to Mia Preston in Brisbane