International search secures enough blood for Adelaide mum Amira ahead of surgery

An international appeal has secured enough supply of a rare combination of blood types to make critical surgery possible for an Adelaide mother.

Amira Soliman’s situation began making headlines just over a week ago, after an urgent call-out was launched by her family and the Lifeblood branch of the Australian Red Cross.

The 37-year-old mother of two from Port Adelaide has a “very rare” combination of blood types, and is expected to need at least 20 bags of blood before, during and after her procedure.

Several suitable donors in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland were found within days of the appeal being launched, and Lifeblood said it had also organised for blood to be flown in from the UK.

The organisation has since said that “a further five rare blood donors have been identified”, securing enough supply.

“Two units of blood have arrived from the United Kingdom and a further six units are currently en route from France,” Lifeblood said in a statement.

Lifeblood expressed deep gratitude for the public response, saying it appreciated the “generosity and compassion” demonstrated by those who donated.

“Lifeblood would like to thank everyone who donated blood in response to our appeal for Adelaide mum Amira,” it said.

The organisation said, despite securing enough for the time being, it would nevertheless continue its search for A and O type donors with the same rare blood as Ms Soliman.

“All donated blood will go to patients in need,” Lifeblood said.