Liquid gold in her veins

For 46 years, Busselton nurse and jetty train driver Cecily Jarvis has donated her blood throughout Australia and on Friday Ms Jarvis made her 295th plasma donation at Bunbury’s Blood Donor Centre.

Plasma is touted by those in the medical field as liquid gold due to its golden colour and lifesaving properties.

Blood platelets, which are found in the plasma, and the whole plasma are used in medical products to treat cancer, trauma patients, unborn babies and burns victims.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service requires more than 1300 plasma donations every day to keep the banks full.

Demand for plasma is expected to double in the next decade.

“Many patients rely on plasma donors to help make life-saving treatments,” Ms Jarvis said.

“I started out giving regular blood donations and now donate plasma every two weeks.

“It’s a small gift to give back to the community.

“Your time could literally mean a lifetime to many Australians.”

Ms Jarvis wants to see more young people donate plasma.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service public affairs officer Ros Mulcahy said patients will need more than 485,000 plasma and platelet donations this year.

“Giving just a little bit of your valuable time to donate these golden gifts could mean a lifetime to people in need,” Ms Mulcahy said.

To book an appointment to take part in The Golden Gift campaign visit www.donateblood. com.au or telephone 13 14 95.