I grew up in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, and as an adult, religiously answered the continual urgent and loud call for blood, sought by the Red Cross. Not only was regularly donating blood an easy process, it was an important purpose and offered instant gratification. I typically floated out the door. To this day I'm still not sure whether my reaction stemmed from my emotions, knowing I was helping to save a life, or if my body rejoiced releasing just under half a litre of life juice. Perhaps both reasons intermingled created the euphoric pleasure.
Once I relocated to rural South Gippsland, Victoria, almost two decades ago, I found it difficult to continue on my good Samaritan quest. Disappointingly, Red Cross Blood Donation Centres were located miles away from my new home. However, some years later I discovered a Lifeblood Mobile Donor Centre, which to this day, frequents a nearby town. I was back in action and resumed giving blood at three month intervals.
A few years on I rang Red Cross one morning to book a customary appointment. Blood remained in high demand and since my last donation, time had once again flown quickly by.
"I'd like to make a new appointment please," I told the Red Cross operator.
"Sure. May I have your donor number?" the lady asked.
After giving her the information and waiting a moment, I was shocked when she voiced, "We don't require your blood at this time, thank you."
"You don't require my blood?!" I replied. "How can that suddenly be when you're forever crying out for the liquid gold?"
"No, we don't require you to donate blood and we'll call you if we do," the lady repeated.
I was flabbergasted!
Months typically flew by, which turned into years. I'd not heard a whisper from Red Cross and decided to give them another call. Surely I was forgotten or had somehow slipped through the database cracks. However, I was met with the same response - thanks, but no thanks.
I began to wonder if my blood showed abnormalities. It couldn't be too serious an issue or I'd have been promptly notified, I thought. Maybe there was something undesirable running through my veins too adverse to share with recipients. This was the only resolution which came to mind.
Another few years passed since I filed my questioning thoughts to the back of my mind and still no word from Red Cross Lifeblood. Last week I again picked up the phone, determined to put my bewildering notions to bed.
“Good morning. I was wondering if my blood may be required after not having donated for an extremely long period of time?” I asked.
The Red Cross operator searched my file and again claimed my donation was not needed.
“I’m beginning to think my blood is faulty.” I half-heartedly joked. “I really don’t understand.”
A giggle sounded through the telephone and the lady assured me there was nothing wrong with my blood. She went on to explain both her and I have a rare AB positive blood group. In fact, so rare, our blood type makes up approximately only 3% of the population.
"But wouldn't that make our blood even more sought-after?" I asked.
I was intrigued and promptly researched the topic of blood to quench my curiosity. According to Red Cross Lifeblood, there are eight main blood types organised through two combined systems. These systems are ABO (blood types A, B, AB or O) and Rh type (Rhesus).
By percentage of population, the most common blood type in Australia is O positive, while the least common is AB negative.
There is no great demand for AB blood types, as O blood groups are the most universally adaptable. If a recipient's blood type isn't available to administer a transfusion, O negative red blood cells can be given, which is often the case in emergencies.
However, there are actually three kinds of donations one can offer - blood, plasma or platelets. Australia needs a steady supply of all three types of donations, but the specific amounts of each variety fluctuate daily.
As an AB positive donor, I discovered my plasma has serious potential. It is determined as universal and can help treat anyone suffering from ailments, such as cancer or serious burns. In fact, plasma is a powerful and versatile element of our blood that can be used in eighteen different life-sustaining ways.
So why haven't I been donating my plasma instead of red blood cells? This I have yet to establish when I next ring Red Cross!
In search of blood information, I also discovered the term Ketsueki-gate, which means analysing a person's personality based on their blood type. A Japanese professor, named Tokeji Furukawa, published a paper in the 1930's, claiming each blood group possesses certain distinguishable personality traits.
These are as follows:
A blood groups are apparently earnest, creative, sensible, reserved and patient, while stubborn and tense at times.
B blood types are passionate, active, creative and strong, and tend to be a little selfish, irresponsible, unforgiving and erratic.
AB types are supposedly cool, controlled, rational and adaptable, while prone to be critical, indecisive and forgetful.
O are confident, strong-willed and intuitive, but sometimes self-centred, cold and unpredictable.
While there is no scientific proof bonding blood groups with personality types, Furukawa's theory is fully embraced within the Japanese culture. Locals use it as a tool to assess the potential of an employee or to ascertain the compatibility between two people planning to enter marriage. It's not uncommon in Japan to be asked which blood type you are.
However, no matter how we view blood, blood types, blood elements or the colour of blood, one thing is certain - donating blood saves lives, and it's a chance for us to take some guilt-free time out to relax, socialise with caring staff and fellow altruistic volunteers, and enjoy a snack, all the while knowing we are making a significant difference to humanity.
No comments:
Post a Comment