Addicted to saving lives
For WO Tash McRoe, donating blood or plasma is a small thing to do for others, but it is the impact on a recipient’s life that is truly rewarding.
The busy mum-of-two relishes the time to simply sit in a chair and not have to do or think about anything, saying it is almost therapeutic.
“I see it as a bit of my wellbeing time, where you can put your feet up, while also feeling really proud of the fact you are saving lives,” WO McRoe said.
The CWO Support Force, based at HMAS Kuttabul, has been donating blood and plasma for about 20 years, and estimates she has made more than 120 donations.
Then there are the donations WO McRoe has inspired across Navy in her role as a Lifeblood Champion, where the passionate senior sailor does everything she can to encourage people to donate to the Defence Blood Drive, even being their ‘buddy’.
“I love going with people as their buddy and sharing in that sense of achievement when they realise, ‘Wow, I’ve done something for someone else’,” WO McRoe said.
“Some people are scared of needles, or they don’t like blood, so they are understandably nervous.
“What I emphasise is that they’ve made a choice to save people’s lives, that something so small can have such a big impact, and that’s what really matters.
“You can save three people’s lives with one donation, and we need three donations every minute to keep up with demand.”
'I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you’ve done until much later. It was only when I began to receive emails saying your blood has gone to these people or this hospital that I realised, my blood has actually been used.'
Curiosity was behind WO McRoe’s first donation, during her first posting.
“I was walking past the Lifeblood donor centre in Cairns and was curious, so I went in,” she said.
“I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you’ve done until much later. It was only when I began to receive emails saying your blood has gone to these people or this hospital that I realised, my blood has actually been used.
“From then it almost became addictive.
“Even my kids are invested. When I come home with the bright red tape wrapped around my arm they ask when they can come. It’ll be nice the day I can walk into the centre with my eldest.”
Navy personnel and public servants are encouraged to take a break and donate during the Defence Blood Drive. All Defence personnel and APS members can donate during work time once cleared with their manager.
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