Friday May 18 was the last time I will visit the blood bank to donate plasma.
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As a New Year’s resolution two years ago I decided to donate blood. After a whole blood donation I was asked if I would consider becoming a plasma donor. Plasma donors can donate every two weeks instead of whole blood donors, who can only donate every three months. And so I became a plasma donor.
I suffer from asthma. I've had it all my life. I see a GP every year to go over my management plan. I take a daily steroid, Seretide, in the form of an inhaler and Ventolin (inhaler or nebuliser). I take these every day.
I exercise five to six days a week. I suffer from exercise-induced asthma, especially now it is getting cold. I relieve this by getting on my nebuliser (mask over mouth and nose) for five minutes after exercise to relieve the tightness in my chest. I could use a Ventolin inhaler and I do, but I find the nebuliser easier to use because I can just breathe normally and get relief, as opposed to an inhaler that requires you to suck in a big gulp of air and hold your breath for as long as you can to get the same effect.
Anyone who uses ventolin on a regular basis will tell you that when you use the inhaler like this, it can give you head spins and make your pulse race.
I prefer to use the nebuliser, as it's a much calmer way of having your Ventolin delivered. I'm not having a full blown attack, I'm not in a life-threatening situation, I'm simply managing my asthma the way I have for decades. The way I was instructed to by my doctor.
Then, on my last trip to donate plasma, I was informed by a doctor representing the blood bank that I could no longer give a donation, for my own safety, because I use a nebuliser more than twice a week. I've been using my nebuliser more than twice a week for years. The doctor, by the way, had to pause the interview on two occasions to cough, he sounded quite unwell.
So I said to the doctor, “so if I want to donate, I need to stop exercising, which will negate my need to use the nebuliser? I will become unfit physically but fit to donate blood?” And the doctor responded that it was just the blood bank's policy, as they had to look out for their donor's welfare. What a farce.
Anyway, this perfectly healthy 50-plus-year-old has donated his last 902ml of plasma, unless of course the blood bank revisits its policy in regard to asthma sufferers.
To the staff of Albury blood bank, I apologise for my abrupt exit, but I was not a happy camper.
I am proud to be a plasma donor, I think I got to about 34 or 35 donations, not sure. But it has come to a head.
I either continue to be fit, which requires me to use a nebuliser more than twice a week, or I give blood. I choose to be fit.
Danny Bowden
No more Barnaby, thanks
If Barnaby’s call to change the privacy laws mean we will never see another photo, or story, featuring Barnaby and Vikki I’m all in favour. In fact, they should start drafting the legislation now, there’s not a minute to lose!
Frank Smith, Oaklands
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