Every drop counts

In a world where just a single blood or plasma donation can make a life-saving difference, Alfie and Jacki have made remarkable contributions to help those in need.

Recently, Alfie hit an incredible milestone with his 50th blood donation to the Red Cross, while Jacki continues her journey as a regular donor, marking over 20 donations.

For Alfie, this milestone was a challenge he set for himself at the start of the year.

“I was on 41 donations, so I set the challenge to reach 50 this year,” Alfie explained.

“I feel extremely grateful that I have the ability to donate and help others who desperately need blood, plasma or platelets.

“If we could have a world whereby everyone was healthy. Imagine a world where everyone is healthy; how good would that be!”

Alfie’s consistency stems from a strong personal motivation rekindled during the pandemic, when he heard that Red Cross was struggling for donors.

“This prompted me to get back into it, as there were obviously people in need,” he said.

His dedication has grown into a routine; he schedules his donations early in the morning, fitting them seamlessly into his work schedule.

"I book in at 7am for a plasma donation, and I’m out by just after 8am and into work," he notes, aiming for a donation every three weeks whenever possible,” he said.

“Plasma donations, in particular, are used to treat a range of conditions from autoimmune diseases to liver and kidney issues.

“I’d like to think that I have been able to allow a lot of kids (adults also) to live a life as normal as possible.”

Alfie is proud of the lives his donations have touched, and he’s now eyeing the 100-donation mark as his next goal.

Jacki, meanwhile, has also quietly amassed an impressive record of donations. She admits she hadn’t kept track until she met Alfie at a recent donation session.

“I wasn’t ever really counting until I met Alfie at my last donation day. We were coincidently donating at the same time, and our conversation that morning made me realise that milestones for good causes are quite motivating,” Jacki said.

“It made me realise the good that I am doing.”

Jacki began donating after hearing a radio call for donors during a national crisis. The initial experience left a lasting impression: seeing so many people respond made her realise the importance of giving back.

Over time, Jacki’s donations have also positively impacted her own health awareness. She recalls one instance where a routine health check revealed low iron levels, which temporarily halted her ability to donate but also highlighted an iron deficiency she was then able to address.

As an O-negative donor—a rare blood type that’s in high demand due to its universal compatibility—Jacki knows her donations play a crucial role, especially in emergencies.

“Only 7% of the population has this blood type, so it’s always in short supply,” she says.

Both Alfie and Jacki encourage others to consider donating if they’re able. Alfie highlights that becoming a donor is easy, and the benefits go beyond helping others.

“Your blood will be tested for various indicators, so it’s also a good way to check your own health,” Alfie said.

Jacki emphasises the urgency, noting that “red blood cells only last 42 days from donation,” meaning the need for new donors is constant.

For anyone interested in donating, visit your local Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre.

To register and make an appointment, visit the Lifeblood website.