Written by Keely Prasalowski
I have my headphones in listening to music and I’m reading my book. It’s me-time, well actually I’m donating blood or plasma!
Blood is a critical resource in emergency medical services and is required every day of the year! Learning the biology of the body as a paramedicine student has given me insight into the fundamental reasons why blood is essential and why donating blood is so important.
Listen to this; Red blood cells pick up an oxygen molecule during gas exchange in the capillaries of the lungs. They then travel together around the body, with the red blood cells dropping off their oxygen to different organs and tissues. A lack of blood in the body means a lack of oxygen circulating, this lack of perfusion causes cells of organs to die, organ failure then… well you get the idea.
Some ambulance services provide blood transfusions on scene, however there are many that don’t. Paramedics can provide lots of different medical interventions to help a patient but some major trauma patients, like those from car crashes may require more assistance than we can provide like a blood transfusion at hospital.
A single donation can save up to three lives (that’s superman level lifesaving honestly!) This just highlights the true impact that individuals can have on their community. From my perspective as a paramedic student, I can use my voice to promote blood donations to help enhance patient care and outcomes.
For blood transfusions to work, they need to match up blood types. I have A- blood, which only about 6% of the Australian population have! Having a rarer blood type, I feel responsible for donating if I can help someone else in my subtype especially those needing regular blood transfusions. Plasma is also a great donation to make for any blood types as it is turned into other lifesaving medications that don’t rely on blood type matches. Do you know your blood type?
Student paramedics like myself have a great opportunity to spread our knowledge with other uni friends or family. We are responsible for creating that little bridge to the medical world and perhaps our educating and passion will inspire others. As I hope this article does for you!
I’ve pulled this from the top secret file but there are donor centres in all Charles Sturt campus locations; Port Macquarie, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Dubbo, Canberra, Goulburn and a pretty regular mobile unit in Bathurst McDonalds carpark. The staff at the Port Macquarie Donor Centre are always so welcoming!
Want to give it a go? All you need to do is register to donate at www.lifeblood.com.au and sign up to a team (eg Charles Sturt Port Macquarie), or course/club related like (Charles Sturt CSUSPA_PMQ). Plus in 2025 Charles Sturt are having an Intercampus Challenge! So donations will be tallied together by campus to find out who are the biggest givers! Check it out.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
