Meera Atkinson
The Australian government has declared 2009 the Year of the Blood Donor. Check out the Lounge writers making a donation...
Unpack the issues...
Cold hard facts: the Australian population needs 21,000 blood donations a week to ensure adequate supplies; 1 in 3 people will need a blood donation at some point during their lifetime; only 1 in 30 people give blood regularly.
Each blood donation can save the lives of three people. Blood type O negative is particularly in demand, as those 9% of Australians with this blood type can’t receive any other type of blood. Donating blood takes about an hour and anyone aged between 16 and 70 in general good health can volunteer. The Australian Red Cross also collects donations of plasma, platelets and bone marrow.
Nicole:
“Donating was good, it was different. Last time I donated blood was at uni at the large hall with lots of beds.
“The employees have it all worked out. They’re very friendly and professional. They make sure your criteria are correct then they take you out to give blood. It’s a swift process.
“When you’re in the seat ready to give blood, the nurses have a good chat to take your mind off what you’re about to experience. Personally I was a bit freaked out by the needle and always am but the nurse talked me through it the whole way through.
“When the needle went in it was a bit painful for a while but I calmed down and zoned out watching The Golden Girls. I was there for about 20 mins while the blood was collected.
“When they take the needle out they put on a bandage and you sit there for awhile. They then chaperone you off into a café where free food and beverages are available.
“You’re not allowed to have any hot drinks for three hours. You have to leave the bandage on for one hour. You’re not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol or take strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
“I would definitely donate blood again. The staff are wonderful.”
Penny:
“I’d given blood five times before but not since 1996. It was just as I remembered: the needle hurt a bit when it went in but other than that it was an easy process. I think I have good veins.
“The process took a good hour from the time I entered the door to coming into the refreshment area.
“Because I hadn’t donated for many years, I had quite a lot of paperwork. I can see why they need the paperwork but it’s a bit frustrating when you just want to get in and do your bit and get out again. I think the process would be sped up if you were a returning donor but I wonder if the time it takes might put people off donating.
“The nurses wanted to know about our t-shirts, because they have a regular group of atheists that come in and donate wearing atheist t-shirts. They thought ours were a reaction against theirs, which was interesting.
“I’ll definitely donate again. I’m quite keen. I just discovered today that you can donate plasma separately and you can do that every two weeks. It feels good to be giving back...”
Unpack the issues...
- What’s stopping you from donating blood?
- For more information contact Australian Red Cross by phone on 13 14 95 or visit the Red Cross website.
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