For Paralympian Rachael Watson, plasma donations are liquid gold

While Paralympian Rachael Watson takes on the world, at home, an army of donors are rolling up their sleeves to provide the life-changing plasma that helps make it possible.

When Rachael won Gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, she knew she had done something amazing, but she couldn’t have done it alone. As reporters congratulated Rachael on an incredible swim, she wanted to share the moment with everyone who played a part in her second gold medal, telling the reporters, “I only get part of it. Everybody else gets the rest of it because really, it’s their medal as well”. It was an incredible moment, but what those watching around the world didn’t realise was just how many Australians played a part in that gold medal swim.

“I don’t think I could have become a Paralympian if it wasn’t for plasma donations." - Rachael Watson

Rachael has lived with autoimmune conditions for most of her life. In 2013, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a condition that attacks the body’s nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, numbness and even paralysis. After her diagnosis, Rachael’s condition deteriorated rapidly and soon became so severe that she required a wheelchair. Over the next few years, Rachael experienced multiple relapses, prompting her doctors to carry out more diagnostic tests where they confirmed the presence of another autoimmune disorder called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Together, these two conditions have had a devastating impact on Rachael’s nervous system, but while there is no cure, there is hope.

To help prevent further deterioration, Rachael was treated with a special type of blood product called Intravenous Immunoglobulin, also known as IVIg. IVIg is made using donated plasma, meaning the medication Rachael received came directly from blood and plasma donors. The treatment worked, IVIg helped stabilise Rachael’s condition and gave her the strength to start rehabilitation.

As part of her rehab, Rachael enjoyed spending time in the pool. Getting out of her wheelchair was a welcome relief and the feeling of weightlessness helped ease her pain. At first, she couldn’t even swim 10 meters, but it wasn’t long before she could swim a whole lap. Pretty soon she wasn’t just swimming laps, she was winning races.

Rachael continued to undergo IVIg treatments and as her condition stabilised, she set her sights on bigger goals, “I did my first nationals, and we didn’t even expect me to make the team. It wasn’t even on the cards. And then, I swam a qualifying time in 2016 and I had to go overseas and get internationally classified – it all happened really quickly.” That same year, Rachael competed at the Rio Paralympics, winning gold in the Women's 50m Freestyle S4.

Looking back at everything she has achieved, Rachael doesn’t know if it would be possible without the support of blood donors, “I don’t think I could have become a Paralympian if it wasn’t for plasma donations.” As she looks to the future, Rachael is just grateful for the generosity of those Australians who are able to give a part of themselves to help recipients like her live their lives to the fullest.

To show you support for Rachael and to help countless other plasma recipients, book a donation today.