Hoppers Crossing’s Dina Prijantono is doing her community proud as she reaches a remarkable milestone of 175 blood and plasma donations, saving up to 525 lives as a result.
This incredible achievement will be reached at Lifeblood’s Werribee Donor Centre on Sunday, July 12th. Dina began donating in 2007 soon after she arrived in Australia, when a Lifeblood mobile unit came to her office.
“I didn’t know what plasma was, because back in Indonesia, whole blood donations were more common. But Lifeblood recommended donating plasma because the demand was increasing, so I started giving plasma regularly,”Dina said.
“I always post on Instagram when I donate, and I get lots of responses from my friends. It is a big committed to reach this milestone, so it feels amazing! I am proud of myself.”
Lifeblood hopes Dina’s selfless milestone will inspire others in the community to follow in their footsteps and lay down their arm to donate blood and plasma.
Lifeblood spokesperson Aania Tandon said Dina’s 175 donations have gone to people of all ages and from all walks of life who rely on blood.
“The main users of blood and blood products include people undergoing cancer treatment, women giving birth, trauma victims and people with blood disorders and immune conditions,” Aania said.
“Dina has helped to save lives and improve the quality of life for so many through her ongoing generosity”.
“We need 300 more donors in the next two weeks to fill appointments at Lifeblood’s Werribee Donor Centre. If you’ve never donated before, this is a great time to give it a go.”
A whole blood donation appointment takes one hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes and can be made every three months. A plasma donation takes an hour and a half, with 40 minutes in the donor chair, and can be made every fortnight.
“Data shows one in three people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, but only one in 30 currently donates,” Aania said.
“An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life. You never know whose life you might be saving.”
If you are a regular donor, haven’t donated in a while or have been thinking about donating for the first time, book an appointment on 13 14 95, book online at lifeblood.com.au or on the Lifeblood app.
Lifeblood’s Werribee Donor Centre is located at 7 Bridge St, Werribee VIC 3030, and is open seven days a week.
