Patsy will donate for as long as she can

I started donating when I was 24. I had my fourth child in 1970 and as she had RH B Positive blood and I was RH A negative blood I was given an injection of gamma globulin which had not been available with my previous pregnancies. I was very impressed with this and as I believe my aunt was one of the first woman in the world to have a baby who was given a complete blood transfusion as soon as they were born. I felt giving back was important and I became a blood doner shortly after my baby’s birth approximately 1971. I have been a doner ever since then even donating when I was living in Australia for four years. I donated Plasma for many years but had to stop when I reached the grand old age of 71 and am now donating whole blood which I can do until I turn 76 .

Since the blood bank started keeping records. On computer I have donated 215 times in New Zealand and 17 in Australia. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to donate the nurses are so lovely and always remember my name.

One of my most memorable donations was many years ago when I got a phone call in the early hours of the morning asking if I could come in and donate blood for a premature baby who had my blood group and really needed it . Of course I went and I felt so glad I could help.

If you can donate please do it may save the life of someone you love.