Siiri's paying it forward

When I was 19 years old (some 25 years ago), I had a car accident. I broke my back and both legs, and it was touch and go for a while if I would retain the use of my legs. The doctors did an amazing job, fixing me, but after the back operation I did not recover well. I received a blood transfusion, which took all day - a long day for me to lie and look at the blood of a wonderful person dripping into me. After the transfusion, I was finally able to get up and start rehab - learning to walk again. Now, I go tramping all over New Zealand - thanks to someone's kind donation.

As soon as I was permitted to donate blood after my operation, I started being a donor myself. Having experienced the difference a blood donation can make, I wanted to help others the same way.