Elite athletes will shine at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, but it’s Queensland’s unsung heroes stealing the limelight during the Queen’s Baton Relay.
Among the batonbearers in this historic event are QSuper members from across Queensland, nominated for their life-long community contributions, including Toowoomba-resident and QSuper member, Susanne Maurer.
Celebrating life is something with which Susanne is very familiar - every fortnight she helps save three of them.
The 61-year-old is a regular blood donor and has made more than 400 deposits with the Red Cross Blood Bank since the age of 18.
Her incredible contribution to the health of others prompted her local Red Cross Blood Bank to nominate her for the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“Sandy at the Blood Bank asked me if I’d mind if I was nominated – and I was really, really honoured,” Susanne says.
“It’s not something I would have ever expected to do, and I’m just so chuffed.”
She says giving blood is her way of giving back to the community.
“I have worked in hospitals since before I started giving blood and know the importance of having blood donors. They reckon for each donation it’s around about three lives you’ve assisted, so I like to think I’ve helped 1200 people.”
Susanne still works in hospital as an administration officer in theatre and says it’s a constant reminder of how blood donations are needed, and utilised.
“It’s not just whole blood, it’s the various blood products which are made into so many different things.”
She even credits her blood donations with her excellent health – generally avoiding the colds and flu that others succumb to.
“It might be that I’m constantly getting rid of blood, and generating new blood cells, “Susanne laughs.
“I very rarely get sick, which means I very rarely miss giving blood.”
Even Susanne’s involvement in the Queen’s Baton Relay did not disrupt her blood-giving, with the event falling neatly between donations.
Susanne was one of 72 people to carry the Queen’s Baton through Toowoomba and says the best outcome from her role as a Batonbearer, would be to encourage others to give blood.
“I think a lot of people are worried about the needle and whether it will hurt, and how they will feel afterwards,” she says.
“They are so well trained at the Blood Bank, 99 per cent of the time you don’t even feel the needle going in. The staff are so lovely, they’re always checking on you, making sure everything feels okay.”