General News
26 February, 2023
Retiree reaches amazing blood donation milestone
WOREE resident Len Bennett has donated blood and plasma for more than 45 years, reaching the 650 milestone on Valentine’s Day.
One blood donation can save up to three lives. It is difficult to estimate how many lives plasma saves since at least 18 blood products from plasma are used; however, after 45 years of donating, it is safe to say that Mr Bennett has touched hundreds of lives.
Mr Bennett has become one of the highest milestone donors in the state and nationwide, but he does not do it for recognition; he does it because it is the right thing to do.
“Initially, I just went with a friend, and I continued ever since,” the 66-year-old said.
“Approximately 25 years ago, my wife had leukemia, and I could see the real need for these blood products.
“She needed a lot of transfusions and blood products, so I could see the real need and the benefit of donating. “It all reinforced my desire to donate and continue donating.”
Every two weeks, Mr Bennet steps into the LifeBlood Cairns Donor Centre at Cairns North; he comes prepared with a chocolate bar and a drink, waves hello to the familiar staff, and prepares to donate plasma.
“Numbers don’t mean that much to me,” he said.
“If I’m healthy enough, I’ll continue to do it. I want to do whatever I can do, with no real goal in mind, just continue while I can.
“It’s a very rewarding thing; you can meet nice people, have a snack after, and it’s essential for the blood banks in Australia.”
LifeBlood Cairns Donor Service nurse assistant Kaori Sasakura said Mr Bennett’s commitment was remarkable.
“It’s very exciting to see him reach 650 donations,” Ms Sasakura said.
“You have to be really committed to achieve that; he comes every two weeks; not many people do this.
“I’m a donor as well, so I know how hard it is to commit; your life gets in the way, and you forget to donate, but not him. “He’s impacted heaps of lives.”
As a donor for 45 years, Mr Bennett has witnessed many changes in the health industry and the growing need for blood products.
“When I first started, plasma donations didn’t exist; I only started donating plasma in the mid-90s,” he said.
“First of all, they didn’t have a dedicated building like this, just a small wooden building in the Esplanade as part of the hospital.
“For a while, I moved to a dedicated ward in the hospital, then again to a unit in the Esplanade and now to this dedicated building. It’s good that it has evolved the way it has; they’re using these blood products in so many ways that weren’t used in the past.
“Initially, we didn’t have plasma donations; now we use it for so many other things.
“The need is there every day,” Mr Bennett said. Ms Sasakura said donating might one day save your life.
“It’s not only about helping others,” she said.
“You could be a recipient of one of these blood products.
“Kindness goes around, and we have to help each other; it’s not one-way, you might get sick, or your mother might get sick, and how horrible is that you cannot save lives because no one donates.
“Every individual’s life is dependant on someone else’s kindness.”
Visit lifeblood.com.au for more information.
