Geelong dad Mitch Alldis lost 12 litres of blood in complex surgery

When Geelong dad Mitch Alldis had surgery to remove a tumour from his abdomen, he lost an enormous amount of blood.

Mitch Alldis required 27 units of blood when he had surgery for an abdominal tumour. He is now calling for more people to donate blood. Picture: Alan Barber

When Geelong dad Mitch Alldis had surgery to remove a tumour from his abdomen, he lost an enormous amount of blood.

The then-34-year-old finance specialist needed an infusion of more than 12 litres of blood to survive the operation.

Mr Alldis was a fit and healthy father to daughter Daisy when he inexplicably started losing weight.

A trip to his GP led to further scans and he was diagnosed with an abdominal extra adrenal pheochromocytoma tumour.

The tumour secretes large amounts of adrenaline which raises blood pressures and causes a condition called cardiomyopathy, causing heart muscles to become weak.

In 2021, Mr Alldis underwent surgery at Epworth Geelong to remove the tumour.

His surgeon, Associate Professor Saleh Abbas, said the operation to remove the tumour was long and complex.

“A massive tumour occupied the whole of Mitch’s pelvic cavity,” he said.

“These tumours tend to bleed, which adds to the complexity of this surgery.”

Mr Alldis said he was “incredibly unwell”.

“I am told I needed 27 units of blood during the surgery, which was about three times my entire blood volume,” he said.

Mitch and Chelsea Alldis. Mitch required 27 units of blood when he had surgery for an abdominal tumour. He is now calling for more people to donate blood. Picture: Alan Barber

“The doctors at Epworth Geelong told me there was a team running between the blood storage area and theatre to keep up the supply of blood.

“A lot of blood donors went into saving my life and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Once the surgery was completed, Mr Alldis was moved to the intensive care unit where he remained in an induced coma for almost a week.

He then spent three weeks in hospital and had to take four months off from work.

Mr Alldis has made a full recovery, is now a blood donor and is encouraging other people who can donate blood to do so.

“I’d heard the stat that one in three need blood donations and one in 30 donate, but for the whole usual reasons of life getting in the way I never did.

“Now, I absolutely do.”

The now 37-year-old has since had twins Zoe and Isabelle, who are one, with wife Chelsea and enjoys an active life.

“I run, do a bit of exercise and chase after the kids,” he said.

Originally published as Geelong dad Mitch Alldis lost 12 litres of blood in complex surgery