Husband overwhelmed by life-saving blood donations for wife

A husband has offered his thanks after many Australians lined up to offer life-saving blood donations to his wife, who requires major heart surgery.

Amira Soliman's rare requirement for a combination of O and A blood types triggered an international search before she could undergo a life-saving heart procedure.

After thousands turned up to donate, husband Ahmed Elhayes felt overwhelmed by the support.

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"You feel like everyone in Australia is part of your family, they really help to change our life and [are] giving us one more chance," Elhayes said.

Soliman's open-heart surgery was scheduled for Friday this week but it was pushed back by her doctors, who say her body isn't strong enough yet to handle the operation.

She is now stable after undergoing a smaller, less invasive procedure to help provide her with some temporary relief, but still needs nine litres of blood to undergo the full operation.

The blood donations are being used for transfusions to keep Soliman stable while she waits for surgery.

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"It might be a temporary solution but at least it will relieve us for some time," Elhayes

"They'll be prepared with the right amount of blood, not only blood but a plan for the valve."

Her family are hopeful that she will be back home within a fortnight.

"Right now she is improving, slowly recovery but at least we are moving in the right direction."

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