Emma Pritchard

When Roslyn Gray rolled up her sleeve last month, she was finally able to cross something she had wanted to do for years off her bucket list.

Ever since she was a teenager, the Ulmarra resident has wanted to be a blood donor.

Describing it as a great way to help people, Ms Gray travelled to the Australian Red Cross Donor Centre in Coffs Harbour with her friend and “serial donator” Sue Kearney recently, and after undergoing a formal interview and medical check-up, generously donated 700ml of plasma.

And it didn’t hurt either.   

“I didn’t feel a thing,” she said.

“As I was donating for the first time, they took plasma which they’ll scan to confirm my blood type before I go back again.

“I felt really proud to do it.

“I’ve got a big family and lots of grandkids, and if something happened to them, I know I’ve done what I can to help keep them and other people safe.”

After a shock cancer diagnosis in 2001 and subsequent treatments prevented Ms Gray from donating on previous occasions, she said she felt happy to be able to roll up her sleeve this year.

“I was told I couldn’t donate blood if I had cancer, and I had to be clear for two years,” she said.

“I’m just glad I was finally able to do it.”

Ms Gray said the donation took less than 15 minutes and she is encouraging other Clarence Valley residents to roll up their sleeves.

“Just think of all the people you can help,” she said.

“That’s what I was thinking of.”

In Australia, one in every three people will require a blood transfusion during their life.

One donation every 18 seconds is needed to meet the current demand.

Recently, natural disasters, the flu season and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have prevented many donors from rolling up their sleeves, placing whole blood supplies under pressure across the country.

Australian Red Cross spokesperson Cath Stone said donors who are healthy and able to access a donation centre are needed now.

O negative donors, the universal blood type used in emergencies, are also being strongly encouraged to donate.

“33000 donations are needed every week to support patients,” she said.

“As a national organisation, we need people to step up and ensure patients continue to receive the blood and blood products they need.”

Currently, there is no location in the Clarence Valley where residents can donate blood or plasma.

The Clarence Valley Independent contacted the Australian Red Cross for further information.

No response had been received at the time of publication; further updates will be provided in upcoming editions.

For additional information, please visit www.redcrossblood.org

To find out if you can donate blood, visit www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility/quiz