How to be a bloody hero this Winter
- Be Better Buzz Author
- May 21, 2018
- 3 min read
By Ffion Williamson //
The change from Autumn into Winter brings with it many obvious certainties, including more rain and colder temperatures, but perhaps one less so obvious change is the decrease in blood donations that happens each Winter in Australia.
Perth Blood Donor Centre spokeswoman Jessica Willet, 40, said that regardless of the season, people still need to donate blood.
“Currently only one in 30 people donate blood, but one in in three people will need donated blood in their lifetime,” Miss Willet said.
“It is a really simple thing to do, and it is only an hour of your time that will mean a lifetime to someone else.”
In September 2017, the lack of blood donations during the Winter got so low that at one stage there was only one day’s worth of O-negative blood in reserve at the Australian Red Cross.
Such low levels of blood supplies are incredibly dangerous, especially if a crisis occurs.
Students at St Catherine’s College are well aware of this shortage, and have started a Winter Blood Donating team to combat such shortages, with over 20 students joining the team.
One such student is Georgia Kerr, 20, who has donated blood over 13 times.
“There is always the need for blood donations, as blood cannot sit for longer than two weeks,” Miss Kerr said.
“In flu season, it is even worse because a lot people get sick and they need a variety of people to come through.”
In order to eligible to donate blood, one of the main requirements is that the donor is healthy and has not been sick with flue like symptoms in the past two weeks- a hard requirement to fulfil in the Winter season.
Fellow blood donor Clare Bandy, 20, said that despite the process being slightly painful, it is worth it.
“Admittedly, it is a bit uncomfortable, but by no means is it a bad experience… And you get treated like Jesus Christ reincarnated once you have donated!” She laughed.
“It is such a simple thing to do that saves lives so you may as well donate.”
According to Miss Willet, the whole process takes about an hour, and starts with making an appointment at the nearest donor centre too you.
“The first step in the process is making an appointment, which people can do through giving us a call on 131495, or they can visit our website, which is donateblood.com.au,” Miss Willet said.
On the day of the appointment, blood donors are required to fill out paper work which covers facts such as the donor’s height, weight and blood pressure, which is then checked by a nurse.
“If you are doing a normal blood donation, the actual donating will normally only take five to ten minutes,” Miss Willet said.
“Once you are done, we sit you in our refreshment area, and we feed you biscuits and juice, and then you are on your way.”
According to donateblood.com.au, every donation of blood can be used for up to 22 different medical treatments, with the most common use of donated blood being used for cancer and blood diseases.
There are three main types of donations- whole blood, plasma or platelet donations.
Miss Kerr said that the process of donating blood is “incredibly easy, and it is so beneficial for everyone involved…. And you get chocolate at the end!”
To find out if you are an eligible blood donator and for more information on the process, click the link below or call 131495
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