Romonda’s Story:
If you know me, you’ll know that I’m not just the previous Liverpool Campus Representative, or the Student Community member who has been running the Liverpool Lunches for the past three years. You’ll know that I’m most dedicated to community spirit when it comes to Lifeblood’s blood challenges. This is something which will always be an important cause close to my heart!
Everyone has a story, and I am here to share my own.
Often people land in situations where they cannot find a way out, including health and wellbeing. I remember when I was only a little girl – I must have been around 10 or 11 years old, and I was given the devastating news that my parents were in a serious car accident. As children, we don’t really comprehend or understand as much as adults do, but I knew it was bad when mum didn’t come home. She spent weeks in the hospital. Months later, I remember hearing a conversation between the “adults” – they were talking about how lucky mum was to survive such a horrific accident. She sustained internal bleeding, a wound which spanned from her breastbone down. I heard them say “she needed 7 bags of blood!”
It was as a young child that I realised how lucky we are to have donors, and just how much love and respect I had for “the blood people”.
Unfortunately, tragic journeys in life will always appear. However, as they say, you take the good with the bad and you make lemonade! (Or pink lemonade if we are sticking with the theme). Fast forward a few years and now I’m an adult. Having had my own long medical journey, I was advised not to donate blood as it would be too dangerous for me. My platelets drop spontaneously, and chronic anaemia is a wannabe donors’ worst nightmare! You could have imagined my pain when I was told my twin sister needed 4 units of blood after weight loss surgery. Her haemoglobin was dangerously low, her blood pressure dropping by the minute and here’s me – I’m rolling my sleeves up ready to donate, only to be told NO! The pain and anxiety that day… I will never forget.
Once again, the donors pulled through – as did she, thankfully!
I’ve been thinking… how? How am I going to pay it forward? How am I going to make things right? I need to do something, and I found a way.
Consider this: what if you were told a loved one needs blood to survive, and the only way is through blood donation. Would you roll up your sleeves, ready to donate at the hospital then and there? Any person would likely answer YES to that question. If so, why is it so difficult to get new blood donors to register? The reality is, one in three people will need blood in their lifetime. Blood supply is currently at its lowest, and it is crucial for many people to sign up and donate.
You may think that you, your family, and loved ones won’t need blood donations. Sadly, the evidence shows this is unlikely.
At some stage, someone you know and care about will need your help, love and support.
I believe that good should be repaid with good. I was fortunate enough that my mother survived her horrific injuries. My twin sister survived her ordeal because of the wonderful people who rolled up their sleeves – and are happy to do it! This journey is not mine alone – it’s yours, it’s theirs and it’s ours together!
The past three years I’ve advocated for Lifeblood’s blood drives and donation initiatives. I’ve sat with a Lifeblood Representative at Liverpool campus (go you legends!)
I’ve held registration tables for students and staff to register and donate lifesaving blood.
I don’t get paid for this. I travel up to 2.5 hours on public transport just to be there, to show up. I will always show up. One day you, or your loved one, might need that 470ml of precious, lifesaving blood or, even one of the 18 lifesaving blood products our liquid gold (plasma) creates. How good will you feel once you know the impact you had saving three lives? If you’re like me and cannot donate, that’s okay. Not everyone can donate; however, your support, spreading the word, education about blood donation and its importance, is just as important. Please help us save as many lives as possible this Tertiary Blood Challenge. Starting the 1st of March, follow the links or QR codes for further information or pop on over to Liverpool Campus on Thursday 6th of March, Ground Level at 12 midday for a chat! Looking forward to seeing you there!
For every reason, life is the reason…
I’ve spent the past three years advocating for Lifeblood, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my volunteering journey. Let’s face it, studying a double degree in Social Work and Criminology one can appreciate the amount of volunteering students must complete to earn their degrees. I don’t say this lightly, I have met A LOT of wonderful people along the way, starting with Lifeblood’s very own Megan Green. The amount of dedication, support and passion which we bounce off each other – priceless! I have met some CHAMPION students at Liverpool Campus, as well as Staff who all share their personal stories and journeys with us, and it’s quite humbling and inspiring to be a part of! I cannot wait to see what this year brings! Let’s do this!
The Tertiary Blood Challenge:
Join the Tertiary Blood challenge today! Roll up your sleeves, and let’s get competitive. Who will come out on top this year!? Liverpool Campus has reigned for more than 3 years now! Can they make it four years in a row? Or will another Western campus take the crown!? Let’s see what you’ve got, Western Sydney!
Lifeblood runs their Tertiary Blood Challenge every year. The Tertiary Blood Challenge is a friendly competition amongst different universities, campuses, schools and colleges to see who can donate the most blood products within their respective campuses. The wonderful thing about this challenge is you can make group bookings and attend with your friends! Even family members can be added to your team if they are donating with you! WINNING! It’s a very easy system to navigate, just follow the QR code provided, or hop onto the Lifeblood website to register. The aim is to save as many lives as possible and to make a difference to the depleted blood supply at our hospitals. Don’t forget to tag and share your photos by tagging @lifebloodau!
Truths and Myths About Blood Donation:
A few truths and myths about blood donations which I often get asked:
MYTH I can’t donate blood; I’ve just had a tattoo!
TRUTH: 470ml of blood replenishes itself within 24-48 hours after donating!
TRUTH: You must weigh at least 50kg and be 18 years old to donate blood!
MYTH: I’ve travelled overseas I can’t donate!
TRUTH: I can donate blood every 12 weeks and Plasma every 2 weeks!
TRUTH: It takes 42 days for your red blood cells to return to you once you’ve donated!
