Madhu takes a break from cleaning to save lives
For nearly two years, Dunedin franchise owner Madhu Mala was responsible for ensuring the facilities at NZ Blood were safe and sanitary for donors. Little did she know that her time there would lead to the life-changing decision to become a regular blood donor herself.
At first, Madhu was a little nervous about donating blood but after being around dedicated donors and supportive NZ Blood staff every day, she decided to give it a try.
“Being around people who come in and donate every three months was fascinating. They are so determined and don’t miss any sessions,” says Madhu.
Working at NZ Blood gave her the chance to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the process and its positive impact.
“I realised how much donating blood helps others, and I think that’s pretty cool,” she says.
“The lovely staff really try to make you as comfortable as possible.”
Madhu has now donated blood seven times and doesn’t plan to stop. She loves being able to track her donations and book appointments easily through the NZ Blood app.
“Once your blood is used, they send you a message through the app to let you know that you’ve done something good for someone,” she says.
Madhu and her husband, Dan, are now responsible for cleaning the expansive site at Port of Otago, passing the responsibility of cleaning NZ Blood to another CrestClean team. Although they no longer handle the cleaning there, the couple maintain a strong relationship with the staff at NZ Blood and enjoy catching up with them during their regular visits to donate.
Recently, the Dunedin CrestClean team came together for a group blood donation. The effort was welcomed by the NZ Blood staff and a simple but meaningful way to give back to their community. NZ Blood Donor Relations Co-ordinator Linda Burt was happy to welcome first-time donors, Quality Assurance Co-ordinator Antoine Zoghbi and franchise owner Amol Prakash.
“It was great to see Antoine and Amol starting their life saving journey while Madhu and Tony both completed their seventh donations. The team have collectively saved up to 48 lives and we look forward to their next group donation in the new year,” says Linda.
The Dunedin team’s group donation effort is a reminder that small acts of kindness, like donating blood, can have a lasting and significant impact on the lives of others.
