Donor Jo knows how vital blood donation is

I began donating years ago as a nurse in the Wairarapa, continued on and off for years, including a stint in the Northern Territory, Australia. At the time of the Bali Bombing, when a number of burns patients were transferred to Darwin Hospital, my husband and I resided nearby and they were calling for all available donations.

In 2007 my husband John was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. We were told then that eventually he would undergo serious and ongoing Chemotherapy with all its related treatments.

Thank goodness we were unaware about how much this would be in the future, and John got on with life - he always had a firm grip on it and this wasn't going to stop him......

Treatments meant long hours sitting around and during that time I was made very aware of the number of transfusions and the types, blood, plasma, red cells etc and what is involved in collection. Also how each component is broken down. I practiced as a Phlebotomist at the time and it was very interesting to me, despite the seriousness of the situation John and I and our family was in.

John had numerous transfusions over time and was given the opportunity to have an Autogolas Stem Cell Transplant using his own cells - this was an entirely new ball game ant the stakes were high. The blood treatments were amazing, realizing that at times for just a cup of transfused platelets, it took at least 14 people to donate...for each cup...

The people who donate are angels...they rightly have to pat themselves on the back for their generosity and I am certain most will not realise just how much someone like John needed it. Sadly only about 4% of the population donate and I advocate for it as often as I can. I can only say a heartfelt thanks to everyone....