Blood donors’ vital role in saving lives

By Melissa Donchi
WHEN Healesville resident Matt Treen crashed his car into a tree seven years ago it was only blood that kept him alive – and lots of it.
Within the first 48 hours Matt received more than 100 units of blood, which is about 50 litres, which eventually saved his life.
Today Matt’s family doesn’t have the world’s best doctors to thank for their son’s survival, just the ordinary people off the street who so generously gave their blood.
And with the Red Cross Mobile Blood Service set to launch its 2007 winter campaign, which will encourage Australians to make more than 270,000 individual blood donations in the next three months, it’s time for the community to give again.
“I remember the surgeon saying that he wasn’t going to make it,” said Matt’s father, Roger Treen.
“He was a bit like a ragdoll – he had two broken femurs, a broken kneecap, a dislocated elbow and extensive head injuries.”
Mr Treen said Matt would not be alive today if it wasn’t for people’s generous donations.
“All the science in the world couldn’t have saved Matt and we just felt so lucky that people were able to help us during that difficult time,” Mr Treen said.
“I hope other families will be just as lucky as we were.”
If blood was said to have saved Matt’s life, then Matt has been saving lives for some time.
Matt had been giving regular donations long before his accident and continues to do so once a fortnight. He has now made more than 60 donations.
“It was something I’ve always done and will continue to do,” Matt said.
“Obviously it became even more important after the accident because I was aware of the difference it could make to me being dead or alive.”
The Red Cross needs 20,000 donations every week, which each donation is said to save up to three lives.
The Red Cross Mobile Blood Service will visit Healesville on 2 and 3 July from 2 to 7pm at Swinburne TAFE in Healesville. Call 13 14 95 to make an appointment.