Since first donating blood almost 30 years ago, Melva Knight has been back to give more every three months.
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On Friday, Melva made her final donation with the Australian Red Cross’ eligibility rules not letting people aged 81 and over donate blood.
“I’m a little bit sad about it. I had an idea it (the cutoff) was when I was 80 but you can go to 81,” she said. “I was always healthy, so I just kept donating. The nurses always check if you are well enough to give.”
Melva has made a whole blood donation of 470 millilitres 78 times – meaning she has donated 36.6 litres of blood in 30 years.
With each donation helping up to three people, it means Melva’s blood has potentially saved 234 lives.
“There’s nothing to it. I’ve never had any problem with it and in only takes about 30 minutes then you get a drink ad something to eat,” she said.
“The nurses are very good, so you just sit there and squeeze your hand until it comes through.”
Melva’s daughter convinced her to come and donate for the first time.
“My youngest daughter donated and said ‘how about you come along’. So my husband and other daughter came and we just kept donating,” Melva said.
“When I first started we used to go up to the Anne Caudle Centre to do it.
“Unfortunately my youngest daughter can’t donate now because she was working in England when they had the Mad Cow (breakout). My husband stopped a couple of years ago but my other daughter still donates.”
Melva said she feel pride when she knows her blood has helped someone.
“Now they send you a little letter to with the name of people saved with your blood,” she said. “It is nice to think you have (helped) saved those lives.
“People think (donating blood) hurts or they don’t like injection but doesn’t really.
“With every donation can two or three people can use your blood and I encourage every one – if they’re healthy – to donate.”
For more information on donating blood visit www.donateblood.com.au