World Blood Donor Day: Giving blood doesn't have to be a scary thing

CHARLOTTE Willis has been terrified of needles her whole life, so why on earth did she let a stranger take her blood?

World Blood Donor Day

TODAY is World Blood Donor Day, so I decided to confront my deep-rooted fear of needles and roll up my sleeve to give blood for the very first time.

Childish fear you say? I agree. I even have a few choice words of my own - absurd, lame, soft. But yes, sceptics - this is a legit phobia, it’s called trypanophobia (I looked it up).

A fear of needles is something that is preventing thousands of potential Aussie donors from giving blood each year. Others simply can’t get past the pain factor, while plenty don’t know how or where to give blood or whether they are even eligible to give.

My own long-winded excuse basically boils down to a couple of fainting experiences as a child and a seriously weak stomach, so I was more than a little apprehensive as I stepped into the donor centre.

But as is human nature, we expect the very worst and giving blood was far from the gruelling, painful experience that I’d hyped it up to be.

Armed with a fluoro 'first-time donor' badge, I hopped onto the bed and stuck out my right arm. Less than ten minutes later it was all over and my fresh bag of blood was living (sort of) proof that I could and WOULD help save three lives.

The lovely nurses will walk you through the whole process and even treat you to a chocolate milkshake in the cafeteria afterwards.

But any feelings of heroism I might have had were quickly put into perspective when talking to the generous individuals who give blood regularly.

One man in particular, 76-year-old James Harrison, has given blood a grand total of 1040 times, and tells news.com.au he vows to do so "until he is no longer fit and able" - or until he hits his magic number of 1,111 - whichever comes first.

Pretty impressive tally from someone who admits he "can't stand pain or needles".

Mr Harrison, touted as Australia's most prolific donor, started giving blood at 18 after undergoing a major operation in his teens.

Doctors soon realised that this man's blood was invaluable as it contained life-saving antibodies needed to make the vaccine anti-D, which is used to prevent Rhesus disease, a form of severe anaemia in newborn babies.

Fifty-six years on, he has saved the lives of more than 2.4 million babies and has even met some of the tiny people who have benefitted from his unique gift.

Affectionately known as "the man with the golden arm", Mr Harrison donates plasma a whopping 33 times a year.

"My claim to fame is to keep donating when I can and get the message across that Australia needs donations desperately," Mr Harrison said.

"Besides, the life they save might be their own."

This year is the 10th birthday of World Blood Donor Day, and people all over the world are being encouraged to "give the gift of life" by donating regularly.

"We need to let people know that the pinch of a needle only takes a few seconds, but it will be a lifetime for the person who receives that blood", Red Cross Blood Service spokesperson Jemma Falkenmire said.

"World Blood Donor Day is a time to recognise the heroic efforts of people who donate, whose every donation helps save three lives."

So go on, give a little blood this World Blood Donor Day. You've got plenty of it.

What we know:

One in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime

Only one in 30 Australians give blood

Type O is the most common blood type and is therefore the most needed

A single blood donation can help at least three different patients

Over the next decade, the demand for blood will double, meaning by 2020 Australians will need to make more
than 2.6 million blood donations a year

Your donation can contribute to making up to 22 different products (including immunisations for chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus)

Giving your life-saving blood takes just 5-10mins in the chair - so you can squeeze it into your lunch hour

You will almost ALWAYS be rewarded with a milkshake (or something sweet) for your efforts

The Red Cross Blood Service is calling on those of the universal O Negative blood type to donate due to a recent increase in demand. O Negative is the only type that can be used in an emergency situation regardless of the person's own blood type. Nationally there is just 2 days' supply of this blood type.

To donate blood please call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au

James Harrison