By Fatima Halloum
When Graham Becker donated blood for the 300th time, he was challenged by a nurse to keep going.
The Western Suburbs resident was told he has “great veins” and should easily be able to reach 1000.
“I said, ‘alright, I’ll see what I can do’,” he said.
In late January, Mr Becker made a “milestone donation” and donated for the 600th time.
“I’m in my 42nd year of donating, I have helped save 1800 lives so far,” he said.
Mr Becker began donating in the 1980s and is adamant the process is not as painful as some believe.
“When I first got my drivers licence I ticked the box to become an organ donor, and I figured I’m donating my organs, what else can I donate?,” he said.
“I gave blood for the first seventeen years and because I’ve got such good veins, the nurses switched me over to platelet.
“You got to see the patients in the oncology first hand so that was a bit of motivation to keep going, and then they switched me over to plasma.
“Now I give blood, plasma, platelet, and I’m on the bone marrow registry as well
Mr Becker says he classes his actions as “community service” but says the heartfelt thanks he receives in return is welcome.
“I’ve had certain times when the blood bank would issue out a video, letting you know your blood might have gone to this patient, like a 16-year-old leukaemia from Queensland,”
“You’re a part of that girl surviving.
“I’m just doing my bit for the community.”
Mr Becker shares his contributions on social media, and hopes other people can be inspired to donate too.
“I always say on my posts, roll up your sleeves, come on down and join,” he said.
“Everyone is precious.”
