By Susie Nordqvist
The New Zealand Blood Service wants couples to spread the lover this Valentine’s day – by making a date to donate their blood together.
It’s a novel idea to stem the high turnover of blood donors.
For Annette and Keith Roberts, the decision to donate this Valentine’s Day was a simple one.
“I just like helping people,” says Annette. “I’ve been doing this since I was 16, donating, so it just progressed.”
Annette has been donating blood for 45 years, Keith for 34. Between them, they’ve given about 600 Litres.
They travel from Paihia to Auckland every six weeks to squeeze a bit more out because, they say, there is always room for more at the blood bank.
“They need it all the time,” says Annette.
The New Zealand Blood Service says regular donations are vital.
It needs 20,000 new donors and 147,000 units of blood each year – just to keep pace with demand.
A quarter of supplies are used for cancer treatment and just one donation can save up to three lives.
A spokesman for the service says giving blood is a more meaningful alternative to many traditional Valentine’s gifts – and it needn’t just be fore couples; singles are in hot demand too.
You may not have met your soul mate, but when it comes to blood, there is always a perfect match.
3 News