Veteran blood donor says ‘it’s so easy’

A woman who dedicated 49 years of her life to helping victims of accidents and disease has made her 400th blood donation this week.

South West resident Cecily Jarvis retired last year after 52 years of service in the medical industry and said her work had opened her eyes to the importance of blood donation.

“There is a huge shortage of blood for people who need it most,” Ms Jarvis said.

“Every time I look around there’s some other nasty disease.”

“That’s why I keep giving.”

Every fortnight for the past nine years Ms Jarvis has travelled from Busselton to Bunbury to donate her rare O-negative blood – a type that is in particularly high demand.

Ms Jarvis said she had worked in every State in Australia and always found a way to donate, despite often being in a remote area.

She said the process of donating was quick, simple and hadn’t put any strain on her body.

“It’s so easy really,” she said.

“It hasn’t worried me at all.”

Throughout her years of donating, Ms Jarvis said she had noticed major improvements in technology and said the process was “a lot better now”.

“It is very quick, you can get in and out in five minutes now,” she said.

Ms Jarvis said she encouraged other people to do it and suggested educating young people on the process could help combat drug problems.

Find out more information at www.donateblood.com.au .