Donating blood: the beginning of a special relationship

A New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) donor centre may not be the first place one would think Cupid’s arrow could strike, the donor floor is usually reserved for donor nurses, technicians, and their sterile needles. But, for 56-year-olds husband and wife Earl and Robyn Borrell, it was the act of donating blood and plasma that brought them together seven years ago.

With a combined 208 donations (an amazing 104 donations each), the Borrells have helped to save well over 500 lives, and the happy couple are now encouraging other eligible kiwis to book appointments to donate by retelling their heart-warming story, that started in the unlikely setting of the Christchurch Donor Centre.

It was in 2014, after donating blood and plasma for six years that Robyn and Earle’s paths crossed, Robyn noticing his familiar face in the donor centre. “Earle and I went to high school together, we were in the same year level,” she recalls. “We never spoke to one another back then, but I’ve been told he was often seen lurking around the areas that I was. I never knew he had any interest in me. Over the years he was one of those faces you saw around town, mowing the lawns, washing the car and so on.

“I noticed him across the donor floor, in the bed directly opposite mine. I had come in a little earlier, so was already in the chair when he sat down. He was donating whole blood; I was donating plasma. I finished first, so made the first move, saying hi to him as I walked by.”

Earle, an ex-detective, was immediately struck by the brief encounter with his old high school crush.

“It wasn’t until later that I learnt he’d jokingly tried to convince his nurse to take the needle out so he could chase after me!” Robyn says. “He even tried his luck and asked the nurses for my phone number, and then tried to get New Zealand Blood Service to act as matchmaker! Of course they didn’t, but through a mutual friend he managed to find a way to reach me, and a couple of weeks later I received an out of the blue phone call from him. And then as they say, the rest is history.”

The couple were married the following year, and continued their ‘dates’ at the donor centre, taking the time to spend with one another once Earle made the switch to plasma donation.

Donating plasma takes a little bit longer than whole blood, approximately 60 minutes in the donor chair. The donor's blood is collected, the red blood cells and plasma and platelets are separated, and then the red blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor using a process called apheresis. It’s the perfect opportunity to sit and enjoy a book or podcast, chat with a nurse or even bring a date.

Last May, at Robyn’s 99^th donation, the couple also encouraged Earle’s 22-year-old daughter Sarah to donate for the first time, after she moved in during lockdown. “She was initially a bit apprehensive about donating,” says Robyn, “but she since been back to donate again, and she’s now considering making the switch over to plasma donation too!”

Robyn has straightforward advice for those considering blood donation, “There’s absolutely nothing to be worried about at all. You’re doing something really good for those who are unwell. If you can help in any way, why not. You never know, you could meet your significant other too.”

To find out more about how you can donate plasma click here, or call 0800 GIVE BLOOD.