Jesse's Story

Having completed a project during university in which she led a group to help promote blood drives to university students, she discovered she had a real passion for encouraging young Kiwis to donate blood. She very ably secured herself a 3-month trial contract after which she became a full time Donor Recruiter and then moved into the role of Youth Marketing Coordinator. In this role she developed and implemented projects aimed at recruiting donors aged between 16-25 years of age for four years before leaving NZBS to start her family.

“On Valentine’s Day 2012, my husband Jamie and I welcomed the birth of our perfect baby boy. Following a complicated labour and 3 days recovery in Birthcare, we finally arrived home and began settling in as a family.

Unfortunately when bub was just 7 days old I was rushed back to hospital. After 3 days of monitoring and treatment, I suffered a postpartum haemorrhage and lost over 2L of blood.

At 28 years of age and having just had my first baby, I was told by the surgeon they may need to perform a hysterectomy before being taken into emergency surgery. On my way to theatre, I remember being asked to sign a form giving consent to receive a blood transfusion.

During what was a most distressing time, here was one thing I finally needn’t worry about… the safety of the blood I was about to be given. As the surgeon and obstetricians explained to me yet another list of risks and complications associated with a procedure I was about to have (this time, my transfusion) it was a small relief to finally nod away with confidence and calm, knowing that if anything was to be ok…it was this. To be honest although the risk is real, transfusion transmitted disease was the least of my worries. I had complete faith in NZBS and this bought a small but much needed comfort in that moment. I came out of surgery having received blood donated by generous strangers and was taken into the recovery ward where I was given some more.”

Since then Jesse has had her second son and fundraises $3600 for Starship and the Ronald McDonald House Auckland (by cutting off her beloved dreadlocks which she had for nine years).

“As I had worked for NZBS for 4 years prior to the birth of my son, I understand the work involved in getting those little bags of blood onto my IV stand. From registering a donor at reception through to blood banking and everyone in between, the good folks in National Office and of course the donors.

So to everyone who plays a part in providing the life-saving service for unsuspecting recipients like myself, I wish to express a very personal and heartfelt thanks for doing what you do.”