Marmion donor Maureen Fowler hopes the Blood Service’s Easter campaign will encourage more people to roll up their sleeves and donate between now and April 30.
‘It’s not hard, it doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t take long,’ the 71-year-old said.
Mrs Fowler has donated blood 260 times, first donating whole blood at a centre in the City and now donating plasma every two weeks at the Whitford centre.
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READ NOW‘It was something I always thought I should do,’ she said.
‘It feels good to do something to help those less fortunate and it’s so valuable to a lot of people who might be suffering.
‘Every visit I made my appointment for the next fortnight and now it’s just a routine.’
Mrs Fowler said she would continue to donate for as long as she was allowed.
Blood Service spokeswoman Jessica Willet said the consecutive Easter and Anzac Day long weekends meant many regular donors would be away.
‘Most at risk are the short-lived stocks of platelets, which last only five days from collection and are vital to the treatment of cancer patients,’ she said.
Whitford blood donor centre will be open Easter Saturday for platelets and Easter Sunday, with Joondalup open Easter Sunday and Monday.
To donate, go to donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.