No 893
LOCALLY OWNED SINCE FOREVER
21 March - 27 March
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
JO
BS
154 IN SI
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The easiest way to save lives You never think it can happen to you or your family. But then it does. And when it happens to your child, a new level of fear is unlocked. Thankfully, because of generous blood donors, this story has a happy ending. In October last year, my four-year-old son, Bodhi, began having strange symptoms. Initially my husband and I thought he was suffering from growing pains, but the situation worsened and we ended up at Christchurch Hospital. Eventually Bodhi was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome – an incredibly rare disorder where the body attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis and death if left untreated. Luckily, we got Bodhi to the hospital early and diagnosed quickly. Had we been a day or two later, doctors warned us it would have been a far different story. As the paralysis began moving up his body, Bodhi received four transfusions, essentially stopping the syndrome before it could reach his chest. Since then, I’m relieved to report he’s bounced back and is nearly fully recovered. As a mother, I cannot articulate the appreciation I feel to each of his donors, for lending an arm and one hour of their time. The kindness of strangers literally saved my son’s life. Soon after Bodhi’s experience, I reached out to New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), asking them to come to Queenstown again. Turns out I was not the only one requesting them to come here. Unsurprisingly, there is an incredibly passionate community of blood donors in Queenstown Lakes District who have shared similar sentiments about being able to donate closer to home over the last four years. When I queried why Queenstown was not a regular pit-stop on the mobile blood drive itinerary, NZBS explained it poses some logistical and financial challenges, like being able to fly donated blood back to Christchurch for processing each day once it has been collected. However, NZBS has listened to our feedback and have gone to tremendous lengths to make the upcoming blood drive in Frankton on March 28-30 a reality. Surprisingly less than four percent of the eligible population currently donates in New Zealand. You may also not realise that one blood donation can save up to three lives. As someone who has experienced first-hand the hope blood donors provide during life-changing moments, I for one will be donating a pint of my red stuff when NZBS is in town next week. NZBS is aiming to collect 200 donations while in our neck of the woods and appointments have already booked out. If you’ve missed out on an appointment, please keep checking the schedule. Sometimes donors cancel at the last minute, so spots could still open up during the mobile drive. If you’re not donating this time around, please remember you can always visit a blood donation centre when in Christchurch, Dunedin and up North. Thank you Queenstown, you’ve once again risen to the occasion. By Kris Perkins
More than 30 firefighters tackled the fire in the historic Speight’s Ale House building downtown on Sunday morning including Queenstown Lakes fire service assistant commander Nic McQuillan, pictured. The story is on page 5
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