Life-long donor has helped to save lives
DENISE Prescott was just 22 when her husband returned from Australian Army service and the two of them decided to donate blood together.
"My husband had given many times during his service, but I decided I would just go along one day," Mrs Prescott said.
Now, 47 years later, Mrs Prescott has donated 102 times, potentially having saved 306 lives.
She says she keeps giving because it is an act of community service.
"I like that I give and don't know who receives it, or where it goes, but I know that it is helping someone else," she said.
Next week marks Red Cross National Blood Week, the organisation's annual drive to encourage new and existing donors to give blood.
The Red Cross says one in three Australians will need blood during their lifetime but currently only one in 30 will donate.
"What people don't realise is 33% of all blood donated goes to helping cancer patients, or those with blood disorders, only about 2% is ever used for heavy trauma," a Red Cross spokesperson said.
Southern Downs councillor Neil Meiklejohn has organised a blood drive with Redbacks and Cowboys players, after his daughter Caitlyn required urgent blood and plasma transfusions during her treatment for a brain tumour.
"Blood matching can be complex and can be needed urgently. Australians don't realise the amount of blood needed," Cr Meiklejohn said.
