Life saving legacy with 150 blood donations

CR PAUL Truscott recently reached an extraordinary personal milestone, marking his 150th blood donation, a testament to generosity, routine commitment and the life-saving power of Australia’s donor network.

His journey began in his late teens, almost by accident.

He still remembers arriving home from work one afternoon when his dad casually said he was heading in to donate blood.

“Do you want to come with me?” he asked.

Paul said yes, not fully knowing what to expect, and that simple decision set him on a path that would change countless lives over the next two decades.

Like many first-timers, he learned a few lessons early, mainly about the importance of staying hydrated before donating. But what never changed was his belief in the impact one person can make.

Over time he transitioned from whole blood to plasma donation, finding a rhythm that suited his lifestyle and allowed him to give more frequently.

Living in Maryborough means travelling to the Fraser Coast’s sole donation centre in Hervey Bay, but he says the effort is minor compared to the reward.

The motivation is deeply personal, close family members have relied on donated blood products, including one relative whose child simply wouldn’t be alive today without the generosity of donors.

“That’s why I donate. I know exactly what it can mean for a family.”

One in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, yet only one in 30 currently donates.

Australia even imports additional plasma from overseas to keep up with demand, something Paul hopes more local donors can help improve.

His passion for donation now extends into his role as a councillor, with Fraser Coast Regional Council competing in the national Local Government Blood Drive each year.

For the past three years, Fraser Coast has been in the lead, beating councils from across the country, including capital cities.

This year, they were initially told they had won the competition, but in the final count Tamworth received a surge of last-minute donations and just edged ahead.

Fraser Coast ultimately placed second nationwide after holding the title for the previous two years.

Paul hopes his 150th donation encourages others to give it a try.

“It’s simple, it’s safe, and it genuinely saves lives. You never know whose family you might be helping.”