10 October 2023
Dedicated to Saving Lives: A Remarkable Journey with Lifeblood
This Moment of Help takes us to Dharug Country in Western Sydney where Renai Neeves, an IAG employee, has made an incredible impact to thousands of lives through her unwavering commitment to Lifeblood. Renai's journey began with a simple act of kindness that has since transformed into a profound mission to save lives through donating blood.
Renai herself has contributed 161 life-giving donations by donating plasma every two weeks, serving as a lifeline for individuals battling life-threatening and chronic conditions, such as immune deficiencies and autoimmune disorders. Her efforts also extend beyond her own contributions, as she leads the annual IAG Lifeblood Blood Drive this October in which Lifeblood Teams work together to make as many donations as possible in a set time. Co-chair of the IAG Lifeblood Team since late 2018, Renai has built the group up from 106 donors in 2018 to an impressive 362 in 2022, saving 3393 lives in 2022 alone.
"I certainly never intended for it to become something that's a huge part of my life," Renai reflects. "But I think I do it because I'm someone who feels the need to do something or feel like I'm contributing in a really direct way," she adds.
Renai's passionate commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others is evident in her actions. She states, "I'm that person whose love language is doing things for people that make a real difference to them."
Recently, Renai saw a blood donation make a real difference to the life of someone very close to her, her father. Diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago and now in the palliative stage, her father required a blood transfusion at the end of his chemotherapy. Renai vividly recalls, "I was there when he was told. I go to all his appointments. It really hit home because it was the first time someone close to me was a recipient.”
Renai's presence during her father's transfusion left a lasting impact. "He couldn't tell people enough. He's so proud of me for being a donor and what I do with the IAG Lifeblood Team. The next day, the effect was instant, he felt so much better. A lot of blood donations save someone's life. My dad's blood transfusion is not going to save his life, but it's certainly made a big difference to his quality of life. That was the first time I got to see the other side of donating. It was a nice connection to what I do, and it has spurred me on."
Not that Renai needs spurring. She convinced her husband and best friend to donate as soon as the UK restriction ended, and her youngest daughter is waiting impatiently until she is 18 to begin. Renai is also about to begin IAG’s Annual Blood Drive. “We encourage everyone to check their eligibility and discover the rewarding feeling of donating during October,” she asks. “Then simply register, join Insurance Australia Group and donate.”
The impact of Renai's advocacy and the dedication of the IAG Lifeblood Team extends beyond the boundaries of her workplace, as numerous individuals have been inspired to join the cause and share their experiences.
Johnny Shu, motivated by his father-in-law's battle with multiple myeloma, shares how donating saved his own life. "After my first donation of plasma, I was picked up as having elevated immunoglobins," he recalls. After two years of regular haematologist check-ups to rule out blood cancer and a clean bill of health, he is back to donating blood and plasma regularly.
Janelle Shaw a blood donor since 2017, chose to give back after losing her best friend to melanoma. She brings her children along to normalise giving blood, hoping they will continue the tradition when they come of age. Narelle Bowen, a donor since the age of 16 understands firsthand the transformative power of donations after a difficult pregnancy. She gratefully acknowledges, "Without blood donations of more than 14 people, I would not have survived. I am incredibly grateful to these amazing, generous humans."
It’s an even deeper way for me to give back because it's not only my personal contribution, but also the legacy that I've built at IAG of having 400 of our people donating as part of one big group.
Renai's partnership with colleague Amanda Whiting led to the formation of the IAG Lifeblood Team. Amanda, now the CEO of IAG in New Zealand, emphasizes the profound impact of this initiative. "It's an even deeper way for me to give back because it's not only my personal contribution but also the legacy that I've built at IAG of having 400 of our people donating as part of one big group," she states. "And we have a program throughout the whole year to connect with people, support and encourage them. When they tell you their personal stories about why they donate and the joy that they get from being a donor, when thank you for giving them that reason or extra boost to donate and how good it makes them feel, why wouldn't you keep going? I'm really proud of what we've built," she adds.
Renai Neeves and the IAG Lifeblood Team serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, championing the cause of saving lives through their unwavering dedication to blood donation. Their collective efforts have not only transformed the lives of countless individuals but have also created a legacy of compassion and community that continues to thrive.
The Annual IAG Blood Drive runs throughout the month of October. To help fellow Australians in their time of need, you too can donate by taking the following steps: check your eligibility, register as a donor, book for October and join the Insurance Australia Group team with Lifeblood.
