PRESS RELEASE: Hedley Thomas compares Kate Fisher’s new book, “Milkshakes for Marleigh”, to Trent Dalton’s, “Boy Swallows Universe”.
Bestselling author, Kate Fisher, launched her new book called Milkshakes for Marleigh: Extraordinary tales of survival thanks to Australian blood donors, with esteemed author and podcast host, Hedley Thomas, at Avid Reader in Brisbane to a sold-out audience, during the Brisbane Festival in September, 2024.
Hedley: “Kate, you are an excellent storyteller, podcast host and writer. You are doing such important work with Milkshakes for Marleigh. 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 Fisher is the founder of The Milkshakes Marleigh blood donation advocacy movement and is on mission to end persistent critical blood shortages in Australia and around the world. Kate is the creator, host and producer of award-winning, internationally acclaimed podcast, Milkshakes for Marleigh and this new book is informed by interviews she conducted in the first three seasons of the podcast, where she tells survival stories of those who have received blood transfusions.
Marleigh Fisher is an eight-year-old Queensland girl who lives with the incurable, life threatening condition, Autoimmune Encephalitis. For Marleigh, plasma infusion is life-saving when her condition is acute and life preserving for every infusion in between. At her sickest, Marleigh required these infusions every 10 days to keep her alive.
Kate : “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 & I don’t want other families living with that fear.”
In April 2024, the Milkshakes for Marleigh book became an instant Amazon #1 bestseller when it was released internationally on Kindle.
Kate: “Milkshakes for Marleigh is the creative solution to the social challenge of lack of volunteer blood donors in Australia. I’ve created a community where recipients thank their donors by sharing all the amazing things they have gone on to do with their lives after receiving blood.”
The concept of the book is that if you have ever been a blood donor, you can read the Milkshakes for Marleigh book and wonder if your blood donation saved the life of one of the people featured including: Olympic Swimmer, Michael Klim; Actor and cancer activist, Samuel Johnson; MKR contestants, Carly & Tresne; baby Alba (#bringalbahome); former GWS Giant Phil Davis, and a host of regular Aussies with incredible stories ranging from cancer, to post-partum haemorrhage, burns, premature birth, kidney damage during an AFL game and a shark attack victim.
Kate wrote this book to thank the Australian blood and plasma donors who have given Marleigh extra years and encourage new people to volunteer to donate blood. She hopes to change the statistic that 1 in 3 Australians will need blood in their lifetime yet only 1 in 30 Australians are blood donors.
Kate is considered a leading global voice in blood donation advocacy. Her awards in 2024 have included:
• The Women Changing the World: Global Impact Award (Non Profit), May 2024.
• AusMumpreneur Author of the Year; Podcast of the Year; and Woman Changing the World of the Year. Melbourne, August, 2024.
• Women’s Economic Forum, “Exceptional Woman of Excellence ”, recognising the global impact of her blood donation advocacy, September, 2024.
• TEDx Brisbane, 60 Second Pitch, Highly Commended (2023).
Kate was invited to London in May to address Women Changing the World Summit by The Duchess of York, Sarah Fergusson. While in the UK, she met with Milkshakes for Marleigh fan, James Cordon at The Podcast Show. Australian supporters of the Milkshakes for Marleigh book include: Trent Dalton, Holly Wainwright, Hugh Van Cuylenberg, Ryan Shelton, Libby Trickett and Lael Stone.
The podcast is available to download for free on all major platforms and the book is available in bookstores, Amazon &online stores, or via the Milkshakes for Marleigh website: www.milkshakesformarleigh.org
Reviews:
Libby Trickett: “I’m so proud of you & the lifesaving impact you are making through your advocacy work”.
Trent Dalton: “Kate, you are a national treasure!”
James Corden: “I love that pink zebra! Im a huge Milkshakes for Marleigh fan.”
Callan Ward, GWS Giants: “Kate’s advocacy work is saving lives”
