Donating Plasma

A few days ago I donated Plasma for the first time in my life.

I was scrolling through the Facebook newsfeed and an advertisement from the Australian Red Cross appeared to motivate people to spend blood. I always wanted to spend blood but the reason why I didn’t do it so far is honestly laziness. Back home I lived in a small town so for donating blood I had to go to the city which was 30min by car. I also worked more hours so basically a normal working day was leaving my apartment at 6:30am and coming back at 8pm. To be honest I wasn’t really motivated to go to the city on my days off, instead I met with family and friends.

There was an option to donate Plasma in a shopping centre 20min by car and I was in this centre a lot and they also paid you for it but I always heard the scary stories of very big needles and a lot of pain. So I didn’t do it.

But now I live in this big city where everything is easily reachable and when I saw the advert I really wanted to do it so I registered myself online. I had to answer a few questions and as I was in Indonesia before I entered Australia I couldn’t make an appointment as they needed more information.

So on my day off I went to the closest donation centre and they told me I couldn’t donate blood till August but I could donate Plasma. I got nervous and asked for the next available appointment and it was in 30min. Then I asked if it hurts and the receptionist said yes. I was scared but I thought three days after my ski accident in January I traveled from Austria to Australia with crutches and a splint for almost 40 hours. Four months later I flew with my 10 stitches injury from Bali to Melbourne and started working two days later. How worse could the pain be? So I said yes.

To be honest I think if there wouldn’t have been an available appointment this close I’m not sure if I would have done it. But I thought I’m already here now and I wanna help other people. So I did it.

After filling out the forms a staff member came and went through the questions with me and then brought me to the room to donate. There were a lot of other people so first of all I was not alone. There was a TV so I focused on that and I didn’t even feel when she put the needle in. Also the needle was not big at all so the stories I heard were not true. After sitting there for 40min they put the needle out, wrapped the stitch on my arm and sent me to a room where I could eat and have some snacks. I needed to stay there 15min to make sure I was fine and then I left.

I didn’t feel ANY pain, getting a vaccine hurts more. The needle was NOT big and the staff was super friendly and helpful. So nobody has to be afraid of donating Plasma or blood. Just DO it! Help other people and be happy that you are able to help!