Amira goes from strength to strength as the need for rare blood continues

It’s been over a year since Amira underwent a life-saving heart operation. Today, she’s back doing what she loves, spending time with family, playing with her children and enjoying life.

None of this would have been possible without blood donors.

When Amira needed surgery, countless Australians answered the call to help find a match for her rare blood type. Looking back at the outpouring of generosity, Amira still can’t believe how many people wanted to help her.

“I honestly did not know if enough suitable blood would be found, but my hopes rose each day just hearing about how many people, kind strangers, were donating. I thank you all.”

While Amira continues to go from strength to strength, she’s not out of the woods yet. Regular blood transfusions are still a vital part of her treatment, and the need for rare blood donors is never far from her mind.

“There are thousands of people just like me who rely on blood and blood products. Blood not only saves and enhances lives; it provides hope to families when they need it most.”

The critical need for rare blood types

While most people know the common A, B, AB, and O groups, there are over 300 other blood type variants. These variants are based on different antigens present on the surface of red blood cells and can vary significantly across different ethnic groups. For recipients like Amira, who have rare blood types, finding a compatible donor can be a challenge.

How you can help

If you’re already a regular donor, keep up the good work. If you haven’t managed to make a donation or it’s been a while since you’ve rolled up your sleeves – we need you! Finding matches for recipients with rare blood types is a numbers game. The more people who give blood, the more chances we have of finding a match. As some rare blood types are more common within different ethnic groups, updating your ancestry makes it easier to find these matches. Simply login to your account and head to Manage Details > Ethnic Ancestry to update yours.