give blood. give life.€¦ · victoria needed life-saving blood during the birth of both her...
TRANSCRIPT
—GIVE BLOOD. GIVE LIFE.
HEL
P CE
LEBR
ATE
AUST
RAL
IA’S
BLO
OD D
ONOR
S SE
E PA
GE 0
1
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
THANK YOU FOR BEING A BLOODY LEGEND
11–17 June 2017
National Blood Donor Week
01 — EMILY THANKS LIFE-SAVING ‘LEGENDS’
03 — IT TAKES ALL SORTS
05 — FACES OF DONATION
06 — RED25
11 —
DIALLING INTO THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY
13 —
ALL ABOUT DONATING PLASMA
15 —
GIVING BLOOD IS PANDEMONIUM FREE FOR WANG WANG AND FUN NI
WINTER 2017 —THANK YOU
FOR BEING A BLOODY LEGEND
I would not be here without those donations. I am a mum, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Those close to me know how lucky we are.
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
Emily Hunter knows all too well the important role that donated blood plays in helping both mum and bub survive childbirth.
The 34-year-old resident of Sandhurst in Victoria needed life-saving blood during the birth of both her children.
As a result of her experience, Emily has been chosen to be this year’s ambassador for National Blood Donor Week, 11 – 17 June.
A strong part of her message to current and future donors is the impact that life-saving transfusions have on those who love the patient.
“My family and friends are all incredibly grateful for the blood donations that saved my life,” Emily said.
“I would not be here without those donations. I am a mum, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Those close to me know how lucky we are.”
Emily received her first transfusion when she began to lose blood after the birth of her first child, Holly. She later woke in intensive care, her life saved by her amazing clinicians and by the blood given so generously by volunteer blood donors.
After seeking medical advice, Emily and her husband decided they would try for a second child.
“All of the medical professionals were very positive and felt that the risk was still relatively low. To counteract this risk, it was decided that we would have an elective caesarean section just before I was 39 weeks pregnant.”
But Millie, Emily’s second child, would not wait the full 39 weeks.
“I went into spontaneous labour when I was 37 weeks pregnant,” Emily said.
“We went straight to the hospital with the plan of going into theatre for a caesarean section. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the hospital it was decided that the labour was progressing too fast and it would be safer for us to deliver naturally.”
Millie arrived safely at 2.45am, but the fight for life now belonged to Emily alone.
“Just after Millie was born I began to haemorrhage,” Emily said.
“I had a condition called placenta accrete and this meant that the placenta had adhered to my uterus causing it to be severely damaged during the birth. I was bleeding rapidly and was receiving lots of blood. In fact, I was bleeding faster than the blood could be put back in.”
“I was given a life-saving hysterectomy. It took the medical team hours to complete the procedure. Without blood transfusions they would not have been able to safely do this.”
In total, Emily needed 46 units of blood, platelets and plasma — an astounding amount of blood that, had it not been there, would surely have meant she may not, either.
“It has made me feel incredibly grateful to everyone that helped me, especially medical staff and donors,” she said.
“Without those transfusions I would not be here to be a mother and a wife.”
“My mum began donating blood after my first baby was born and is now a regular donor. My best friend has also begun to donate blood after seeing the difference blood donors made to me. My husband is also preparing to make his first blood donation.”
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the wonderful people who donate blood. You have allowed my girls to keep their mum and my husband his wife. I am so extremely grateful that I get to be with my family because of such incredible generosity.”
“There are no words for how thankful I am, but again: thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Join us and Emily as together we thank and celebrate Australia’s blood donors during National Blood Donor Week, 11 – 17 June. Visit donateblood.com.au to watch Emily’s story and share your support.
EMILY THANKSLIFE-SAVING ‘LEGENDS’
LIFE W
INTER 2017
Without the generosity of blood donors, Emily wouldn’t be here to watch her daughters, Holly and Millie, grow up. During National Blood Donor Week she’s telling her story to thank Australia’s blood donation ‘legends’.
EMILY THANKSLIFE-SAVING ‘LEGENDS’
DONORS FROM
ALL AROUN
D THE W
ORLD
STEP UP GEN
TLEMEN!
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
Apart from the commonly recognised blood groups, ABO and Rhesus, there are hundreds of possible variations in blood type, encoded in our genes and reflected in small changes on the surface of red blood cells. Like many other characteristics, such as skin and hair colour, populations across the globe have differences in their distribution of blood groups.
Accurate matching of blood groups is particularly important for people who need frequent transfusions, such as those with thalassemia or sickle cell anaemia. To ensure we have the right blood for every patient it’s important to have blood donors who represent our diverse community.
To help promote blood donation among Australia’s growing African community, our researchers have been collaborating with researchers from Deakin University, Australian Catholic University and Western Sydney University to develop video and print materials in English, Arabic, Swahili and Kurundi.
We hope that this study will form the basis for similar programs to promote inclusion for other ethnic communities within Australia.
IT TAKES
Male donors are in particular need for their plasma and platelets.
Plasma from all donors can be processed to make 18 different life-saving products. However, to minimise risks to patients, the plasma and platelets that are transfused directly to patients come exclusively from our male donors.
This is because our plasma contains antibodies (proteins made by the body’s immune system). These protect us against invading viruses and bacteria but, in some cases, we have antibodies against other human cells. If these antibodies are in blood given to patients, they can react with the patient’s own cells causing life-threatening illness. In particular, they have been implicated in a transfusion reaction known as Transfusion Related Acquired Lung Injury, which can rapidly and severely affect the lung function of transfusion recipients.
Where do these antibodies come from? Well, apart from those who have received transfusions or organ transplants, men do not develop them. However, women who have ever been pregnant can develop these antibodies in response to their unborn baby.
ALL SORTSYou may not know it, but your blood may be in special need for one of many reasons other than a simple match of your ABO blood type for a patient.
Our blood donor panel is made up of many different people, and this diversity is important to make sure all of Australia’s patients receive the life-saving blood products they require.
There are many ways that blood donation can help save lives. You may not know exactly how special your blood is, but you can be sure your donation will be used where it is most needed.
LIFE W
INTER 2017
ANTI-D
DONORS
Around 17 per cent of Australian women who become pregnant need anti-D injections to keep their babies healthy. Anti-D can only be made from donated plasma.
All of Australia’s anti-D plasma comes from a tiny pool of around 200 donors. These donors have a special type of antibody in their blood.
When a mother with Rh D negative blood becomes pregnant with a baby that has Rh D positive blood, there’s a risk her immune system will create antibodies that attack the unborn baby’s red blood cells. The baby can suffer from life-threatening anaemia, known as haemolytic disease of the newborn. This problem can be avoided by injecting the mother with antibodies to the Rh antigen during pregnancy.
Anti-D is made from the plasma of donors who have been sensitised to the D antigen, either through prior transfusions, or through a special program organised by the Blood Service.
We always need more donors to be part of our program for collecting anti-D. This is to meet the needs of Australia’s growing population and replace those who are unable to donate anymore.
If you are a man of any age or a woman past childbearing years and a current blood donor, you may be eligible to join our anti-D program. Talk to us at your next donation or call 13 14 95.
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
FACES OF DONATION
Sixty-three years of giving: Ian Playford recently made his final donation — number 469! — at Gosford Blood Donor Centre, just days before his 81st birthday, with his wife Peg by his side. “He will be sorely missed,” say the team at Gosford.
A healthy attitude: 18-year-old Ike Schwartz is a regular plasma donor. He is a passionate advocate for health and fitness. “I’m studying medicine, so it’s fitting that I come in and donate from time to time. I don’t know why more of my friends don’t do it!”
Blood brothers: every two weeks siblings John and Scott Millard come in together after work to donate plasma. John started donating nine years ago and then Scott joined his older brother: “It’s a good feeling knowing your helping a stranger out,” he said.
Helping save over 50,000 lives: Lu and Brent Crosby are proud of Team Adem’s life-changing contribution.
TEAM ADEM MOTIVATES THOUSANDSTeam Adem are celebrating the amazing milestone of helping save over 50,000 lives since joining our unique giving program Red25 four years ago. That’s more than 16,000 blood donations!
“Although 50,000 is a significant milestone, the true rewards for both Team Adem and the Crosby family comes in the knowledge that every day we are making a positive and profound difference to the lives of many Australians,” said Lu and Brent Crosby, Adem’s parents.
“We are extremely proud that Adem’s legacy continues to grow and inspire new donors to roll up their sleeves every day.”
The Sunshine Coast teenager was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia at the age of 17, and received more than 350 blood and blood product transfusions during his treatment. Spending so many hours in oncology wards, the Crosby family quickly came to realise the important role blood donations play in the lives of cancer patients. When Adem was told his illness was terminal, his wish was to use his experience to inspire others to help thousands of patients every year.
The team named in Adem’s honour now includes 30 organisations across Australia and at its heart is the ‘blood donation community’ that is committed to making a big difference to patients in need. In the first year, their goal was to generate 1,000 blood donations a year. This year they aim to help 15,000 patients.
“Although we have surpassed all expectations, it is now our objective to continue to grow our blood community and motivate more Australians to donate regularly and make a life-changing difference to patients who require blood products well into the future,” Lu and Brent said.
“We would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank each and every one of our blood donors for their continued dedication and commitment to Team Adem’s Blood Donation Community.”
To join Red25 or learn more, call 1300 886 524 or visit donateblood.com.au/red25
50,000 IS A BIG NUMBER. WHEN FOLLOWED BY THE WORD “LIVES”, 50,000 IS AN INSPIRATIONAL NUMBER.
RUGBY LEAGUE CLUBS THROW WEIGHT BEHIND BLOOD CHALLENGE
Footy players are a competitive bunch. This season rugby league clubs in Western Australia are looking to score goals in blood donor centres, as well as on the field, with a blood challenge.
Joondalup Giants Rugby League Club lifetime member Jeff Costello kicked off the idea when he looked to harness the competitive spirit of NRL WA clubs and do something good for the community.
Jeff has been a regular blood donor for many years — he’s just clocked up 75 donations — and he was inspired to help after hearing patients talk about the difference blood donation had made to their lives. He put
Giants give back to their community: (l-r) Club President Samuel Norton, Stacey Hendriks, Principal Fuimaono, Jeff Costello and James Howarth.
To join Red25 or learn more, call 1300 886 524 or visit donateblood.com.au/red25
PUMPING BLOODBlood Service mascot Billy the Blood Drop got the blood pumping recently after a workout at a gym just south of Adelaide which has saved 45 lives in eight weeks through blood donations. Billy visited Trend Fitness to hand owner Steve Little a certificate for winning the Southern Gyms Blood Rivals Challenge. Steve says his staff and clients are keen to keep up the pace and hit the 100 donation-mark by the end of this year.
forward the idea of a blood challenge to NRL WA CEO John Sackson, who was equally keen to get the clubs involved in making a life-saving difference through Red25.
“Some of our high-profile players visit hospitals for charity organisations. Well, all of us in the clubs can help too. We can give blood to help those people in the hospitals. Saving lives, that’s the most important thing,” Jeff said.
The Joondalup Giants are currently top of the leader board, but with the challenge running throughout the 2017 winter season, the game isn’t over until grand final week in September!
which makes her susceptible to infections and viruses, Hayley relies on monthly transfusions of a medication made from plasma to stay healthy.
The new scientific donors were keen to donate plasma after understanding its many valuable uses. Being first-time donors, however, they were restricted to whole blood this time. But they will be back to part with gold plasma as soon as they can!
When the team behind a respected scientific website recently started working with our blood scientists, little did they expect their scientific conversations would lead them away from their screens and into the Canberra Blood Donor Centre!
The team from the Australian Academy of Science was working on an article about plasma for nova.org.au, a popular science website managed by the Academy with the mission of providing topical, accessible and jargon-free information for all Australians. Blood Service scientists Dr Janet Wong, Dr Peta Pennington and Dr Alison Gould helped provide the latest information on plasma and its uses.
Inspired by their research into plasma, the Academy team decided to donate themselves and formed a Red25 group. They have already made their first group donation.
Plasma has a special significance for this Red25 team. Sitting across the corridor in their Canberra office is 24-year-old researcher Hayley Teasdale. With an immune deficiency
Inspired by scientific collaboration: (l-r) Stuart Barrow, Sharon Bulkeley, Sandra Gardam, Rachel Armstrong, (front row) Shannon Owen and Samires Hook.
IT’S IN THEIR BLOOD
SCIENTISTS STRIKE GOLD FOR RED25
Following last year’s inaugural Health Services Blood Challenge, employees in hospitals and health organisations are again rolling up their sleeves to save lives. Knowing just how much blood can mean for seriously ill patients, they are determined to top last year’s result of 3,287 donations. Shirley-Anne Gardiner, Acting Executive Director of Toowoomba Hospital — with nurse Jan Binns (left) — recently made her first donation to motivate others at Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.
To join Red25 or learn more, call 1300 886 524 or visit donateblood.com.au/red25
To join Red25 or learn more, call 1300 886 524 or visit donateblood.com.au/red25
Inspired by Leo: Kellie Bell gives blood with Corrigin youngster Leo Baker and his mum Keren by her side.
DISTANCE NO PROBLEM FOR TEAM LEO What does a small farming community in Western Australia’s wheatbelt do when a local youngster is diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer?
They rally together, hire a bus and set out on a round trip of five hours to Perth to donate blood!
Leo Baker was just two years old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that affects about 40 children a year in Australia. Leo lives on a wheat farm at Corrigin with his mum Keren, dad Juan and three siblings.
Neighbour Kellie Bell says many Corrigin locals wanted to support Leo and his family. When Keren explained how many blood products were needed for her son’s cancer treatment, they sprang into action and created a Red25 group.
Within an hour of the first post on Team Leo’s Facebook page 45 people had messaged to pledge their help. Two local businesses, HZ Electrics and Corrigin Engineering, contributed to the cost of hiring a bus and fuel for the journey to the nearest blood donor centres in Perth.
“We all felt a bit useless, there was not a lot we could do. So giving blood was a practical way to help,” Kellie said. “Someone had to donate blood for Leo; we felt we were giving blood to help other children like Leo. Passing on the goodness.”
In two months Team Leo made 47 donations, helping to save up to 141 lives, a huge tally for a small community and more donations are planned, once the wheat is sown!
“There’s something about being part of a team,” says Kellie of their Red25 group. “You know how we feel about our sport in the country. Everyone feels good being part of a team and helping others.”
LIFE W
INTER 2017
All in the family: (l-r) cousins Sebastian Unwin and Reece Porter-Davis share a birthday (a year apart), a passion for sport, a love of milkshakes and now a willingness to donate blood. The first-time donors joined Reece’s mum and regular donor Kathryn Bain, who was “so proud both boys were willing to give up their time and blood”.
Surprise celebration: there was a sense of aloha at Nambour Blood Donor Centre when David Lindsay came in for his 300 donation. David always wears a Hawaiian shirt when he donates, and the team surprised him in their best Hawaiian shirts with leis, ukulele tunes and even a cake.
Milestone of 400: Toowoomba donor Susanne Maurer is one of only seven Queensland women to reach 400 donations. She first donated at age 18 and now donates plasma. “I’ve been blessed with very good health throughout my life, and so when I was told I could donate plasma more often, I thought — why not?”
Heart of the Blood Service: (l-r) donor service consultants Pinky Patel and Devon Dejong at the Blood Service’s National Contact Centre in Adelaide.
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
DIALLING INTOTHE SPIRIT OF
HUMANITY
LIFE W
INTER 2017
Last year, the National Contact Centre received a national industry award for the best large contact centre in South Australia and went on to become a national finalist at the Auscontact Association Awards.
National Contact Centre Manager, Greg Harmer, also recognised in 2016 with an individual Auscontact Award, says the contact centre was established in 2008 to provide a more uniform donor experience.
Up until then, teams worked in separate units, scattered across the nation, managing donor needs with locally based processing centres. “Staff would manually work through donor lists with a pen and a ruler,” he said.
Today, consultants change 9,000 appointments each week, match rare blood components between donors and patients, manage donor feedback, and support the Blood Service’s social media, marketing and digital teams. Each year, the National Contact Centre manages eight million contacts with donors.
“We’re a very modern, large contact centre that overcomes many contact challenges and we do it through 87 hours of operation each week with great service and efficiency for our donors,” Greg said.
And it’s about to improve even further.
“We are in the middle of the most significant change we’ve had at the National Contact Centre in the last 10 years,” Greg said.
The Blood Service is currently implementing a new relationship management system to help manage donor communications and streamline the booking of appointments.
“This system will help us improve the donor experience and it will also allow us to communicate with our donors in a very tailored and personalised way,” Greg explained. “It’s going to make a huge difference to the way in which consultants are able to engage with donors.”
“It’s making most of what we do vastly easier, which means the conversations between donors and our consultants will be a far richer experience for both,” says Greg.
“So, there is a real buzz and vibe on the contact centre floor. People are really enjoying what they are doing, and that starts with our customers — our donors — who are so motivated to give something back to their community.”
“Every donor has a story and we are lucky enough to be really dealing with the spirit of humanity through our work at the National Contact Centre.”
In a very ordinary office building in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD, a 200-strong team of Blood Service employees help keep Australia’s blood
supply pumping almost round the clock.
“We really are the lifeline of the Blood Service and often the first point of contact for blood donors,” says Donor Service Consultant, Pinky Patel.
Pinky is one of 200 consultants at the Blood Service’s National Contact Centre who each week make in excess of 77,000 phone calls, emails, text messages and social media posts to blood donors.
It’s here that consultants make more than 50 per cent of the Blood Service’s appointments to ensure Australian patients receive the 25,000 blood donations they need — of the correct blood type, at the right time — to treat cancer, blood disorders, immune disorders and blood loss through trauma, child birth and emergency surgery.
“I like knowing that I can come to work every day and meet so many great people who roll up their sleeves without any questions,” Pinky said. “It gives you such a positive feeling at the end of the working day.”
Pinky has been manning the phones on and off since 2009 and calculates she’s made about 16,000 blood donor appointments in that time: “I always say that if you’re in customer service, then this is probably the easiest job in the world because you get to speak to so many positive, giving people every day.”
New recruit Devon Dejong agrees: “It’s not like any other contact centre … The donors we speak to every single day are so amazing and generous and so upbeat.”
“I see our role as one of fostering relationships with donors,” Devon said. “They selflessly donate their blood, so the best thing we can do is give them amazing customer service.”
DIALLING INTOTHE SPIRIT OF
HUMANITY
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
ALL ABOUT
DONATIN
G PLASMA
WHAT IS PLASMA? Plasma is the straw-coloured liquid component of your blood and is often described as a ‘soup’ of various proteins.
Fresh frozen plasma is, as its name suggests, plasma that is preserved to be used at a later date. It’s often used to assist with trauma.
But the overwhelming amount of donated plasma is manufactured into small vials of potent treatments which are vital to helping many many Australians. This can range from those battling immune deficiencies and bleeding disorders to expecting mums who need doses of special antibodies during their pregnancies to protect their unborn babies.
Demand for these plasma-based treatments has skyrocketed in the past decade — but the number of donors has not increased in line with this demand, despite the Blood Service and its loyal donors supplying more plasma than ever before.
The Blood Service is actively seeking more plasma donors to help us meet the needs of Australian patients who rely on plasma-based products to lead a better quality of life.
At some stage in your blood donor journey, the Blood Service may ask you if you’re willing to donate plasma. Interested in donating plasma?
Talk to us at your next donation or call 13 14 95.
PLATELETS
RED BLOOD CELLS
PLASMA
Evelyn Keetelaar is a plasma donor who loves racing her bike on weekends.
LIFE W
INTER 2017
ONE COMPONENT, MANY DIFFERENT USESPlasma is amazingly versatile. Once you donate plasma, we test it, process it and deliver it for manufacturing into life-saving products. There are many different uses for plasma-based treatments.
1. Vaccinations: plasma immunoglobulins are used in tetanus, hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
2. Protecting unborn babies: a special product called anti-D is made from the plasma of a special group of donors who produce an antibody that is given to pregnant mums who are at risk of haemolytic disease of the newborn, a potentially life-threatening condition to their child if left untreated.
3. Immune deficiencies: immunoglobulins are essential to helping Australians who are battling immune disorders. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is the most common product.
4. Stopping severe bleeding: albumin is a plasma product that is used to treat patients who are suffering shock from major blood loss. Prothrombin is a plasma product that helps to stop severe bleeding.
HOW DONATING PLASMA WORKSDonating plasma begins much like a whole blood donation: you arrive at your nearest blood donor centre, complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview with one of our Blood Service employees to confirm your eligibility, before being seated in one of our comfortable donation couches.
What you’ll notice is that the machine beside you is not a simple blood bag rocker — it’s slightly bigger, contains a disposable centrifuge, and also has a line back to you.
This machine uses a process called ‘apheresis’ to collect your blood, spin it and separate the plasma from the rest of the components. The plasma enters a bag while the remaining components are returned to you along with saline to help restore your blood volume.
Unlike whole blood which can only be given every 12 weeks, plasma can be donated as often as every fortnight because you receive your red cells back during the process. This means plasma donors have more opportunities to help Australians in need.
And while it takes a little longer to give plasma than it does to give whole blood, this generous activity can be taken as an opportunity to take some time out — all while doing your bit for fellow Australians.
Giant panda: Wang Wang at Adelaide Zoo Photograph: Adrian Mann, Zoos SA
If a panda can, so can I: Zoos SA Senior Veterinary Nurse, Rebecca Probert, followed Wang Wang’s no fuss approach to giving blood when she donated recently.
AUSTR
ALIAN RED CROSS
BLOOD SERVICE
GIVING BLOODIS PANDEMONIUM FREE FOR
WANG WANG AND FUN NI
The world’s southern-most giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, became unexpected blood donation heroes when they recently inspired
Zoos South Australia staff and volunteers to donate blood at a time of great need.
Zoos SA Senior Veterinary Nurse, Rebecca Probert, gave blood at the Regent Blood Donor Centre in Adelaide days before an expected donor shortage over the Easter long weekend.
Rebecca was following the lead of Adelaide Zoo giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni who routinely give blood without complaint so zoo staff can monitor their health, and in-turn provide much-needed data to international giant panda researchers as part of a global effort to save the endangered species.
“Wang Wang and Fu Ni’s blood gives us such an important window into what is happening on the inside,” Rebecca said. “And it makes it so easy for us that Wang Wang and Fu Ni give their blood so readily and without any fuss.”
“Blood donation really is black and white; it costs nothing to give, takes little time to donate, and has a huge impact on the lives of ordinary Australians.”
Zoos SA Senior Panda Keeper, Simone Davey, said male panda Wang Wang was cool and calm throughout the routine blood sample process. “He loves it,” Simone said.
“It’s a very positive experience for him. He gets fed treats and it’s a very quick and simple procedure for him … There’s no reaction, he does not flinch. He does not mind.”
Regent Blood Donor Centre Manager, Jayne Hassell, said Wang Wang and Fu Ni’s approach to giving a blood sample was a great example for those of us too scared or too busy to donate blood.
“Only 1 in 30 Australians give blood, yet one in three Australians will need it in their lifetime,” she said.
“This winter, demand for new blood doors will peak as will the number of blood appointments cancelled due to cold and flu symptoms. Regular donors stuck in bed with the cold and flu need to be replaced by new donors as the need for blood does not take a break over the winter months.”
1 2 3 4 5 6
7
8
9 10 11
12 13
14
15 16
17
18 19 20
21
22 23
C
O
W
O
R
K
E
R
D
U
M
B
A
I
E
I
O
B
C
B
P
A
R
A
G
O
N
I
S
O
B
A
R
P
L
E
N
T
L
P
S
E
W
S
E
T
D
E
F
E
R
D
T
E
A
K
Y
A
T
I
E
R
G
L
E
A
R
N
F
I
I
D
E
A
T
E
I
D
R
B
E
R
A
N
C
I
D
A
R
R
A
Y
E
D
R
E
L
T
S
T
E
E
E
L
S
E
H
I
N
D
E
R
E
D
LIFE SPRIN
G 2016
ACROSS
1. Display case 4. Very annoyed 7. Quaint village home 8. Degrade 9. Amusingly coarse12. Canines15. Re-emerge17. Came close to18. Radio control knobs21. Imposing building22. Skeleton parts23. Peppered (with holes)
DOWN
1. Fellow employee (2-6) 2. Weather map line 3. Durable timber 4. Clueless, no ... 5. Strikingly arranged 6. Otherwise10. Postpone11. Gain knowledge13. Impeded14. Model of excellence16. Spoiled (of butter)18. Unable to speak19. Embroiders20. Layer
SOLUTIONS
CROSSWORD
RECIPESU
DOKUMETHOD
Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Thanks to Lovatts Crosswords & Puzzles for supplying these puzzles.
MINESTRONE
© Lovatts Puzzles
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
2 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes
1 x 400g can of cannellini or borlotti
beans, drained
I litre vegetable or chicken stock
125g risoni pasta
1 bunch spinach
Parmesan, to serve
METHOD
1 Heat olive oil in a large saucepan and lightly fry pancetta or bacon.
2 Add onion, garlic, leek, carrots and celery, and cook for about 10 minutes, until softened.
3 Add potato, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, oregano, bay leaf and stock, stirring well.
4 Cover and bring saucepan to the boil, then reduce and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potato is just cooked.
5 Add the risoni and spinach to the saucepan and cook until pasta is al dente.
6 Season and then serve with crusty bread and grated parmesan.
INGREDIENTSOlive oil
100g pancetta or bacon, sliced
1 large red onion, diced
1 leek, diced
2 cloves garlic
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1 large potato, scrubbed and diced
NATHAN’SSTORYNathan was diagnosed with leukaemia at just 11 months old and needed red cells and platelets to survive his treatment. He was given the all-clear when he turned 11.
RECIPIENT
STORIES
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. Send your feedback, ideas and suggestions to [email protected]
/redcrossbloodau | @redcrossbloodau | /redcrossbloodau
VISIT: donateblood.com.au