A young patient calls on the community to…

By Casey Neill
BORONIA’S Samantha Vassallo may be just months away from needing new lungs. And she’s only 16.
Samantha has a severe chronic medical condition called bronchiolitis obliterans.
Her lung capacity is just 25 per cent of what it should be. She gets short of breath easily and relies on a scooter and wheelchair to get around.
“It feels like something’s blocking it off and it’s not letting air in,” she said.
The Royal Children’s Hospital’s respiratory department diagnosed the condition two years ago. Now it’s Samantha’s turn to help out and ask people to support the hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.
Samantha was referred to the hospital after coming down with pneumonia. Her oxygen levels were dangerously low.
“We were there all day doing test after test after test,” her mum Elleanor said.
The pneumonia had opened the door for two “bugs” to attack Samantha’s lungs.
“But by the time anyone realised what was happening, the damage to her lungs was already done,” Ms Vassallo said.
The condition is rare in teenagers but that doesn’t make it less scary and Samantha says the diagnosis has changed her life.
“The doctors think it’s going to get worse, but they’re not sure when,” she said.
She requires oxygen every night, but does not need medication.
“As long as she stays healthy and doesn’t get sick,” Ms Vassallo said.
“If anything happened, then she would have to go on the lung transplant list.”
Samantha returns to the hospital for tests every three months, including cardiology testing once a year to monitor the effect of low oxygen levels on her heart.
She said the Royal Children’s had helped her get on with life.
The hospital supplied her with an electric scooter, wheelchair and oxygen system.
“They’ve done a really great job with everything,” she said.
Ms Vassallo said they would not have been able to afford the equipment.
“I was just blown away when they said they could supply the scooter,” she said. “They’re brilliant.”
Ms Vassallo said the hospital was always just a call away.
“If Sam’s not feeling well or she has difficulty breathing, all I have to do is ring up,” she said.
“They have just been brilliant from the word go.”
The pair encouraged people to support this week’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
“You just never know when you’re going to need it,” Ms Vassallo said.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal is on this Friday, 10 April.
To donate call 9292 1166 or visit www.goodfridayappeal.com.au