Hillside’s Faye Barnes has been donating blood for 30 years and wants others to do the same. 70253 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Laura Wakely
FAYE Barnes will celebrate her 50th in Caroline Springs next month, but she will be the one giving, not receiving a gift.
The Hillside resident will give her 50th blood donation to the Red Cross Blood Bank when it visits Caroline Springs next week.
Faye began giving blood about 30 years ago after hearing a radio announcer say that only three per cent of Australians donated blood, while 75 per cent of us would need blood at some stage.
“I was disgusted,” Faye said.
“It doesn’t take a great deal of effort and it’s very important for everyone to give.”
Since then, she has given 49 donations of her O positive blood.
She’s tried to get others to come along, but has often heard the excuse that they are short on time or uncomfortable with needles.
But Faye maintained it was “nothing to be scared of”.
“Think of all the people you know or if someone in your family needs blood, consider that,” she said.
The Red Cross Blood Bank needs 27,000 donations every week to make sure there’s enough blood to supply patients in need.
Around 34 per cent of blood is used for cancer and blood diseases, 19 per cent for other causes of anaemia, 18 per cent is used for surgical patients, 13 per cent will be used to treat patients with heart, stomach and kidney diseases, 10 per cent for orthopaedic patients, four per cent for obstetrics and two per cent is used for trauma, including road accidents.
Although Faye and her family have never had to use blood donations at all, the 66-year-old has heard what her blood donations can do.
At the blood bank Faye is able to read letters from blood donor recipients and their families.
“It thrills me to bits,” she said.
“You see letters saying ‘you saved my life’.
“When I read those I think, yes I am making a difference.”
Faye is proud of her 50th donation, but she’s also “just proud to be a blood donor”.
“I don’t intend to stop.”
The Donor Mobile Unit will be at Caroline Springs from 19-23 September. People wanting to donate should contact 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au
