Donate Blood
Up until 2019, I regularly donated blood. According to the Red Cross Life Blood app, my first donation was in 2012. However, it has been almost six years since my last donation.
That changed today 🥳
In 2019, an unpleasant experience, combined with the Life Blood donation center discontinuing its visits to my workplace's vicinity, led me to step away from this noble cause. This was not an intentional disconnection, but rather life just got in the way and of course so did Covid.
It is one of my greatest regrets that it took me so long to get back to donating blood but the reason couldn't be more straight forward:
In Australia, blood is neither sold or bought there donation remains the only viable pathway for people who need blood. Frankly this is the best system. Blood is priceless and therefore any value attributed to it meaningless. Afterall, what value would you put on your life?
The experience:
Nervousness overcame me all day, drinking lots of water means I was going to the throne room more often than I otherwise would. In cold Melbourne weather, after parking the car, the chill took over my body.
As soon as I entered the LifeBood centre, a sense of warmth was felt and I couldnt be more thankful to the staff there to welcoming back me. It felt like a old friend had returned home.
Special shout out to Mark, he found a juicy vein and took out 500ml of blood in 5 minutes. I didn't actually see him inject the needle. I couldn't. I wouldn't. Too scared.
It felt good, actually great. Someone where will get my blood and his/her life will be saved.
I want to make this impact. So, in 3 months' time, when I am eligible to donate again, I will ensure I do exactly that.
Lifeblood actually publishes daily the blood supplies in any given state in Australia and Australia as a whole:
