How a Goonellabah woman rolls up her sleeves to help her community

One Goonellabah woman is not letting Covid stop her doing something “simply sensational” to help her community.

GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION: For the past five years Goonellabah resident Aleisha Johnston has donated plasma every two weeks at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre in Lismore as a way of helping her community. Photo: Alison Paterson

Every two weeks Goonellabah resident Aleisha Johnston rolls up her sleeve and makes a commitment to her community.

For five years now, Ms Johnston, 44, has walked in the door at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre in Lismore to make a plasma donation, with her current total at 130 plasma and whole blood donations.

Ms Johnston said this was her way of helping the community.

As she sat down to enjoy a refreshment after making her latest plasma donation at the donor centre at 26 Bounty St, Lismore, Ms Johnston was modest about her commitment.

“I’ve always been someone who wanted to help others,” she said.

“You never know when someone in the community is going to need the plasma you give.”

HAPPY TO HELP: Goonellabah resident Aleisha Johnston pictured here with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood staff member, Kim Sauverain, donates plasma every two weeks at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre as way of helping her community. Photo: Alison Paterson

Ms Johnston said she’s surprised when people, “often quite young”, tell her they couldn't bear the idea of having a needle in their arm to make a donation.

She felt a fleeting moment of pain was nothing compared to the ongoing chronic illness some people suffer from or the life threatening emergencies that require plasma and blood donations to help save lives.

“You have to get past the selfishness of being worried about a tiny, momentary amount of pain,” she said.

“And 99.9 per cent of the time there isn't any pain, because the staff here at Lismore are so wonderful and gentle.

“You have to go beyond that worry as you could be saving someone’s life.”

Ms Johnston said her work as a teacher’s aid meant she has seen many families benefit from blood and plasma donations over the years.

And she said she hopes people reading this story will consider rolling up their sleeves too.

“Saint Mary MacKillop said, ‘never see a need without doing something about it’, as well, ‘find happiness in making others happy’,” she said.

Lifeblood spokesman Scott Morrison said regular donors like Ms Johnston are

“simply sensational”.

“Lockdowns don’t stop the need for blood, there are patients in hospital who need blood and plasma who are relying on people like Aleisha to donate and help save lives,” he said.

“Aleisha is amazing, she has made 130 donations which means she has potentially helped improve the lives of over 400 people.”

Mr Morrison said only three per cent of the population give plasma or blood.

“Australian Red Cross Lifeblood needs new donors on the NSW North Coast to support the increased demand since the return of elective surgeries,” he said.

“Anyone aged between 18-75 years and are feeling well may be eligible, donating blood and plasma remains an essential activity, and travel and venue restrictions do not prevent you from giving blood and plasma.

“Our Lismore donor centre remains open. and we need you now more than ever.”

To make an appointment call 13 14 95, book online at lifeblood.com.au or download the “Lifeblood app” to your mobile phone.