Air Force members' courage for a worthwhile cause
Self-confessed needle phobe Flying Officer Brittany Leve’tt of 76 Squadron donated blood for the first time in May this year.
Flying Officer Leve’tt said inoculation days had been her worst fear when she was at the Australian Defence Force Academy and she couldn’t sleep the night before knowing what was ahead.
“The nurses all knew me so I was taken straight in to lie down to reduce my chances of fainting or having a panic attack,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter how many times I go in, I am still terrified and cry every time.”
Earlier this year, as the Red Cross coordinator for 76 Squadron, Flying Officer Leve’tt convinced Sergeant Tracy-Lea Young, who is also afraid of needles, to donate blood.
In a burst of courage, Sergeant Young said she would if they did it together.
Their entire section then agreed to donate blood if the two women could go through with it.
Flying Officer Leve’tt said although she had always been petrified of needles, she thought donating blood would be worthwhile because her grandfather had cancer and she knew how much donated blood he needed to survive.
“It took a bit longer for my needle to go in while I tried to convince myself it was worth it, but I am now committed to donating every quarter and so is Sergeant Young,” she said.
“Despite the intensity of our fear, I can honestly say it wasn’t that bad and I’m glad I’ve started. It is really a shame that I didn’t do it earlier.”
Flying Officer Leve’tt said she was slowly building up her tolerance to needles and hoped to eventually be able to donate plasma.
“Most people will need donated blood at least once during their life, so why not donate?” she said.
“As members of Defence, we are all fit and healthy, so it’s a shame more people don’t do it.
“I think it is amazing what people are doing for the Defence Organisation Blood Challenge as it can help so many people.”