Geraldton mothers advocate for permanent blood donation facility as more than 200 locals roll up their sleeves

Two Geraldton women have epitomised the local community’s desire to donate blood, with a pop-up centre visiting the city this week attracting overwhelming interest.

More than 200 people walked through the doors of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre in Geraldton, in the first drive since 2012.

The pop-up centre was fully booked within a week of spots being opened.

For Elle Ayling, giving blood was a tribute to her daughter Valley, who passed away at nine weeks old due to complications from a genetic condition.

“She was born with a rare genetic syndrome, so we spent eight weeks in Perth with her, and during that time she needed to receive blood,” she said.

“I’m here just to continue to give blood because I know how important it is, and to honour her.”

Valley was born with a heart condition, which after eight weeks the doctors at Perth Children’s Hospital informed Ms Ayling the condition was life-limiting.

She said it was a shock for her family.

“We thought we were having a healthy baby, and when she came out, she was very, very sick,” she said.

“Our whole world stopped.”

Lea Fowler’s story shares a similar theme, with her daughter Elsie, 5, diagnosed with leukaemia.

Last year, Elsie was one of the Telethon Stars, and spent more than two years in Perth for treatment.

“It was very difficult at the start, but once we got to Perth and got the full diagnosis, we tried to make the best of a hard situation,” Ms Fowler said.

“It was a very brutal 14 months in Perth. We weren’t able to come home at all.”

Elsie was diagnosed after a doctor’s appointment where her mother asked for blood tests, following concerns the family had.

Within a half hour of finishing her blood test, she was told to head to the emergency department in Geraldton, and a day later was flown to Perth for treatment.

“It was very scary, and it’s all a bit of a blur now,” she said.

Both Ms Fowler and Ms Ayling were able to bond while in Perth, supporting each other along the way.

With both families back in Geraldton, the two have set up a team to get friends and family involved in the donation process.

“We had so much support while we were in Perth from everyone at home,” Ms Fowler said.

“Now that the blood donation has come to town, everyone’s getting behind a lot of our friends and family.

“Creating Team Elsie and Valley makes a lot of us know the importance of it, and getting everyone donating.”

They hoped to make donations every three months, with one donation able to help save three lives.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s pop-up donor centre will return in February.