The message for Australians to roll up their sleeves and donate blood has now taken on a personal meaning for Port Macquarie's Lifeblood Donor Centre manager Lynette Cassapi.
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Lynette manages the Port Macquarie and Taree Lifeblood centres and recently received a blood transfusion after an operation.
"In early April this year, I needed to go and have my tonsils removed. Following the operation, I had five episodes of severe post-op bleeding," she said.
During these periods of on and off bleeding Lynette would often need to go to the emergency department, sometimes in the middle of the night.
"The bleeding was usually able to be stopped, but the last time it happened they weren't able to stop it.
"Unfortunately that meant I ended up in an emergency ambulance at 3am transferring down to John Hunter Hospital."
The doctors in Newcastle were able to stop the bleeding, however the whole ordeal left Lynette exhausted and weak.
"My hemoglobin levels were really low after two weeks of on and off bleeding," Lynette said.
"At the time I didn't think I was in a life threatening situation, but I couldn't get up and walk unaided.
"It was an amazing feeling when the doctor walked in and said they were going to give me two units of blood.
"It made an amazing difference to how I felt and I was able to go home the next night."
It's amazing how people keep choosing to come in and donate blood. Thank you for taking the time to do it.
- Lynette Cassapi
Lynette said she can't imagine if the doctors had told her she needed a blood transfusion, but there was one available.
"I didn't think about it at the time, but sitting here now and wondering what it would have been like if they had said I needed the blood but we don't have any is terrible. I'm sure in my case I could have taken an iron tablet, but the process would have been a lot slower," she said.
"The blood I received could have come from anywhere, but I like to think that maybe it was one of my donors here that helped save my life."
Lynette said this National Blood Donor Week (June 14 to 21) is a chance for her to say thank you to everyone who shows up and donates blood.
"National Blood Donor week this year is my first chance to say thank you to all the anonymous people who donate and choose to come in," she said.
"Anyone who needs blood, because of all the generous donations means it's there for them. If people don't come in, we don't get the blood and we can't help save lives.
"It's amazing how people keep choosing to come in and donate blood. Thank you for taking the time to do it."
Call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au for more information or to book your donation.
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