Blood and Guts

It isn't every day you can do something to help save someone's life ... or maybe you can by Noreen Gill.

If it wasn't for the generosity of blood donors, graphic design student Geoffrey Joe wouldn't be alive today.

In February 2006, 20-year-old Geoff was doing jumps on his mountain bike with friends in Palmerston North. On one attempt, Geoff misjudged a jump and fell heavily, catching his stomach on the handlebars, before crashing to the concrete. He was knocked unconscious by the force of the impact.

While very sore after his crash, Geoff was unaware of the extent of his injuries. After cycling back to his friend's house, Geoff's mates were less than sympathetic. "They said I needed training wheels and that I was soft!" says Geoff, who then tried to drink a beer. But the pain was excruciating and he was feeling very ill indeed. Geoff's father immediately took him to the doctor who couldn't help as Geoff's injuries were internal. He was rushed to hospital.

"I felt like I'd been punched by a heavyweight boxer. I couldn't walk, the pain was totally unbearable!"

He had to undergo several life-saving operations, during which he was given blood from around 50 donors. He woke up five days later, after being placed in a drug-induced coma. Doctors told Geoff he had ruptured his kidney, burst his spleen and lost a huge amount of blood.

"Blood donors saved my life. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be alive."

Geoff never donated blood while at high school. He says when you're young you think you're invincible and that you'll never need blood. But I've learnt the hard way that it is important to donate blood, as you never know when you might need it.

Geoff has made a special video message for blood donors that you can see at: www.startafanclub.co.nz. The 'Start a Fan Club' website, which was launched just three months ago, uses YouTube-style video 'thank you' messages from some of the many Kiwis helped by blood donors' generosity. The idea is that in giving blood you start your very own fan club of thankful recipients. The site is definitely worth a visit.

There's also a Bebo page that was built at the same time for 'Blood Dude', New Zealand Blood's charismatic mascot. Blood Dude now has 197 Bebo friends, many of whom have posted comments about their blood donation experiences. Check it out HERE, and find out what it's really like to give blood.

Just so you know, blood is very special indeed. It can neither be manufactured nor replaced by animal blood. Regular blood donors ensure a safe and plentiful supply of blood is available whenever and wherever it is needed for you, your family and others. Want to become a blood donor? You need to be aged 16 or over, weigh more than 50kg and be in good health. For further information, call the New Zealand Blood Service on 0800 GIVE BLOOD or visit the website at: www.nzblood.co.nz.