13 Jun 2014
At 16-years-of-age Malinda Holland is one of the youngest sufferers of lupus in Australia. The Dubbo College South Campus Year 10 student has experienced more than her share of illness but recently she initiated a fundraising drive to help other sick children in Dubbo Base Hospital's children's ward.
With the help of the South Campus SRC, and teacher Susy Yaghjian, Malinda raised more than $1,000 and presented the cheque to Dubbo Base Hospital general manager Deb Bickerton this week.
"I just really want to help people and this was one way I could contribute to the health and wellbeing of other young people," Malinda said.
Malinda was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 12 in 2012 and spent 11 weeks in Westmead Hospital.
Lupus is a condition where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and fights healthy body tissue, including internal organs. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart and lungs.
"I am now on a regime of steroid-based medication, which largely keeps the lupus under control," Malinda said.
"I have three-monthly checkups, with every second checkup taking place at Westmead Hospital with Professor Craig.
"In Dubbo I have the medical support of local paediatrician Doctor Jacki Askwith."
It is rare for young people to be diagnosed with lupus. Malinda keeps in close contact with the only other person her age to have the illness in Australia, a girl who lives in Canberra.
The South Campus fundraising effort was based around an out-of-uniform day where students wore purple or blue, as well as the sale of cup-cakes.