6 minute read
liFEBlooD
By Darryl Gowlett, Member #53
Well, it’s official. We finally have our own Club as a Lifeblood team. I have been donating since 1983 when a fellow Member asked me if I was afraid of needles. Hah! Not me. I was an invincible young motorcyclist that was chafing at the bit to get out there and face the world head on. However, I was a tad sceptical about being stabbed, as history reminded me that there was some discomfort in past interactions with the medical fraternity. So, off to the blood bank in Eagle Street we went. It didn’t hurt, at all, and we got free coffee, and a biscuit, and free parking in the city. Over all these years the Red Cross has actively asked donors to nominate a Club that they would like their donation recorded against, so different organisations can compete with one another in scoring brownie points for the most donations. I always tried to get our Club registered as we had many Members that I knew of that donated, but over the years we’ve always had to register as the BMW Club of Queensland. So those four wheeled fairies have been using our points to puff out their chests even more. So, a couple of years ago, I had a discussion with the local receptionist in Springwood where I donate, and she said she could change it. She did, and all my donations have been recorded for ACTBMWMC since, as that was the only BMW motorcycle club registered with the Red Cross. Cont, page 29
Proudly supporting National Blood Donor Week
14–20 June
This week, make a change for life.
Our Lifeblood Team is looking for new members. People like you, who want to make a difference; who want to give something back.
Choosing to become a donor might be a small change in your life, but it’ll make a huge difference to countless others.
Give life. Give blood.
give blood
I finally took pen to paper, figuratively speaking because nobody uses such wasteful resources anymore, and sent an email requesting we be registered. Twenty-four hours later it was done. For all you existing donors out there, next time you go to lose a pint, ask the receptionist to place your name on the register for BMWMCQ. Or you can also arrange it when you book an appointment. Even if, and especially if, you’re registered for the Police Service, or one of the armed services, or even the Alligator Creek Pony Club, change over to our Club so we can earn the brownie points. And the itinerants amongst us who think they’re scared of needles, be comforted that it is not a normal needle. The pain bit of a needle is the substance, usually at a different temperature, that they place within you that causes the discomfort. No, no, no. This is no ordinary needle, so it doesn’t hurt. But if you’re squeamish about having a piece of plumbing inserted into your vein you don’t have to look. You can watch tellly. But I heartily recommend everybody that can donate blood should, because you may not have, or may never need to, use the products gleaned from this system, but I’m sure many of those close to you have, and it can’t be manufactured. And when you bite the bullet, don’t forget to tell them you’re with the BMWMCQ. And to make life so much easier, they have an app, too. It’s called ‘Donate Blood’ and you can book through that, check out your donation history, including BP, iron count, weight and all kinds of groovy things, and find out all the information you need to become a happier member of the community. Roll up your sleeves, Darryl
Can I give blood?
In order to do the most good, we need to make every donation as safe as possible for the donor and the person receiving it.
You should be all good to give if:
• You feel fit and healthy • You’re aged 18–75, if it’s your first time (you can be older than 75 if you’ve donated in Australia before) • You weigh at least 50kg • You’ve got your photo ID or donor card with you • On the day before your donation, you've had 8 glasses of fluid if you're a woman and 10 glasses if you're a man, as well as plenty to eat.
We’re sorry, we can’t take your blood if:
• You’ve visited or lived in the UK for a cumulative 6 months or more between 1980 and 1996 • You’ve ever had a serious blood disorder or disease.
Jan 2021 – 14375289 Questions about your eligibility to give blood? Give us a call on 13 14 95. Otherwise, you’ll find more information and advice at donateblood.com.au
You might have to wait if:
• You’ve recently travelled • You’re waiting for medical results • You’ve got a cold or you’re feeling unwell • You have certain medical conditions • You’ve changed medications • You recently had surgery • You recently had dental treatment • You recently had a piercing • You have a headache, or you’re feeling unwell in any way • You have any cuts, abrasions or cold sores • You’ve ever had a serious heart condition • You were recently pregnant or gave birth • You've recently engaged in male-to-male sexual activity • You've engaged in other specified 'at risk' sexual activity • You’ve injected, or been injected with, drugs not prescribed by a doctor or dentist in the past 5 years.
Your help is vital in making giving and receiving blood safer for everyone. Thank you.
Michael Ahlberg, Member #4331 “Stelvio Pass”
Jodie Maher, Member #4533
Jane Gray, Member #4300 “ Tony with Motorcycle Gendarmes (in Training) at Chateau du Chambord in Loire Valley, France during our 2018 UK/Europe Trip.”
Ed - we did think Tony was “helping with enquiries” but apparently they were looking for a croissant but there was no evidence remaining!
Jane Gray, Member #4300“ Tony in 2016 at the HMAS Sydney Memorial in Geraldton WA during our Around Australia Trip.” - Spectacular (Ed)
Steve Herpich, Member #4294 “On our half way round Australia trip 2014 - Red Centre National Park, NT”
Klaus Zillner, Member #4515 “ Somewhere on the Oonadatta Track, SA”
Steve Herpich, Member #4294 “ Two very important Landmarks!”
John Eacott, Member #4385 “Anyone who knows Cornwall will know this landmark: pronounced Mouzzle”
