Gerald Lynch
Back in 1972, Murray Burnes rocked up to a donor centre looking to give blood as a way of managing his then-chronic nose bleeding, but 51 years later he notched up his 850th donation at Lifeblood’s Bundoora Donor Centre on September 22.
Mr Burnes is proud to reach the 850 milestone saying donating blood is such a rewarding experience and he has no intention of stopping.
“I once had an opportunity to meet a person one of my donations saved after an emergency transfusion, and it was so powerful,” he said. “That moment stays with me as a reminder of the impact blood and plasma donations can have.
“It’s encouraging to know that something small I do goes to helping so many people in a big way.”
Lifeblood spokesperson Ashleigh Hales said Mr Burnes is an incredible example of someone making a meaningful difference to people who need blood and to the people who love them most.
“One blood donation can save up to three lives, so Murray has saved an incredible 2,550 lives over the years. He is a superhero,” she said.
Ms Hales recognises that 850 donations isn’t realistic for everybody, but she says every donation counts and encourages people to donate as much as they can.
The Bundoora Lifeblood Donor Centre is open seven days a week.
More than 1900 donors are needed in the next month to keep up with the demand for blood and blood products, for a range of uses including cancer treatment, road trauma, childbirth bleeding, and emergency surgery.
