World Blood Donor Day

It's June 14th which is World Blood Donor Day.

I'm thankful each and every day for those who take the time to donate blood. Without my 4 weekly infusion of Intragam (made from donated blood and plasma), I wouldn't have any antibodies to be able to fight viruses or infections.

I also had a lot of bleeding issues during my double lung tranplant. I found out at Haemotology Clinic last week that I needed nine units of blood products (that's a whole lot) including whole blood, red cells, and platelets. I still have a few issues with my platelet counts and so I may still need more.

So I really want to say thankyou to anyone who has donated blood, but especially to those who are regular donors. You seriously are absolute lifesavers! Without you I most certainly wouldn't still be here.

If you'd like to donate, you can book online or simply just call 131495

Thankyou x

Edited: Serendipitously I received a letter from Haemotolgy Clinic in the mail today with a proper listing of what blood products I received during transplant:

6 units red cells
1200mL on the cell saver returned
Cryoprecipitate
7 units FFP (fresh frozen plasma)
1 unit of platelets

Roll Up Roll Up

Your sleeves that is!

Did you know that it's National Blood Donor Awareness Week?

Every four weeks I have an infusion of Intragam P (or liquid gold as us recipients like to call it). It keeps me healthy as I have an antibody deficiency and can't fight off viruses and bacteria without it.

Intragam is made from the plasma component of blood and contains replacement antibodies which are used to treat not only primary immune system deficiencies, but also a variety of autoimmune disorders. 


Every four weeks when I go in for an infusion, I post an Instagram of my Intragam. Yes, it's true.... it doesn't take much to amuse me. In fact, if you search for #intragam on Instagram, you just get random photos from people who can't spell when they hashtag.

Looking back through my photos and making a collage is a great reminder to be eternally grateful, and makes me appreciate blood donors even more.

If you've made it this far, then call 131495 and make an appointment, or you can even book online.

An Easter Reminder

Amy reminded me tonight that she has booked to donate blood again this week, so I thought it was the perfect time to remind everyone else as well.

Easter is an extremely busy time for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Lots of regular donors go away on holidays, and there are many more accidents on our roads. Each week, more than 27.000 donations are required to help patients in need.

You can read about why I need donated blood here.

Check the Easter opening hours here.

Although you can book online, this only allows you to book for an appointment in six days time. If you wish to donate prior to Easter, please call 131495.

PS - The ARCBS has many more permanent donation centres running recently, so it's definitely worth checking whether there is a new one near you!

The Perfect Gift

Please excuse my very poor excuse for a christmas tree. I had grand plans, but.......

It's time for a totally non-crafty post today, unless you'd like to make your own perfect gift box (like mine above), because that bit actually is crafty.

I don't often share my very personal information with anyone, let alone the whole wide world via the internet, but here goes:


Today is the beginning of a brand new campaign named The Perfect Gift from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

You may have never have never needed their services before, but I have.

I have an autoimmune condition called panhypogammaglobulinemia.

It basically means that my blood all of a sudden decided to stop making its own antibodies to fight off bacteria and viruses. Instead, I have a three weekly infusion of a blood plasma product named Intragam. Each infusion  is manufactured by CSL using a pool of blood donations from thousands of amazingly generous donors. It can take twelve whole blood donations or six plasma donations just to make one of my three weekly doses.

Since the year 2000 I've probably had about 150 infusions. If you do the math..... 150 infusions x 12 whole blood donations = 1800 donations just for me, so far.

This is the reason why I'm still here today, and it's something that I'll need for the rest of my life.

The holiday period of December and January can be the most critical time for blood stocks, as most of Australia goes on holiday.

The hard facts: (AUSTRALIA)

• Every donation can save three lives.
• Every donation is valuable because 1 in 3 Australians will need blood, yet only 1 in 30 donates.
• The need for blood is constant and all blood components have a limited shelf life, which is why donations are needed every day. Blood and blood treatments are delivered to hospitals around Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on Christmas Day.
• Australia needs over 26,000 blood donations every week to save lives and to meet the need of patients.
• Donations made in December could help patients recover to be home for Christmas or the New Year.

Maybe you and your family would consider giving the perfect gift this christmas holiday period. It's as simple as making an appointment by calling 131495, or you can even book online.

I'd be eternally grateful....