Narrandera’s humble heroes who save and change lives – quite literally out of the goodness of their hearts – are the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood volunteers.
In Narrandera, the 150 local donors are the lifeblood of the community.
Narrandera man Brett Hocking had a milestone donation recently when he donated blood for the 25th time.
Mr Hocking first started regularly donating at the Uncle Tobys Wahgunyah site (near Rutherglen, Victoria) where they promote people to donate blood through their Lifeblood team.
Although he no longer works for Uncle Tobys, Mr Hocking continues to donate blood on a regular basis.
''Before I started donating blood when I worked for Uncle Tobys, I only donated sporadically,'' Mr Hocking said.
''The statistics are that a lot of people need blood.
''I've been involved with the Rural Fire Service since I was 16 and have seen many motor vehicle accidents where people have needed blood.
''It's changed over the years - I donated recently and receive a text message afterwards and while it doesn't tell you the person that was given the blood, it tells you whatever hospital it went to - it's very rewarding.''
Mr Hocking realises it is extremely important to donate blood and encourages others to roll up their sleeves to help.
''It doesn't take long and it's very little pain,'' he said.
''Quite frankly it's just a little more pain than a mozzie bite - it's more of a discomfort.
''For just a little effort it could save someone's life - it could be mine in the future so maybe there's a little bit of karma.''
Lifeblood needs 140,000 more people to join the community of blood donors who save the lives of 1.5 million patients across Australia every year.
“We are calling on people to become the lifeblood of Australia, the lifeblood of their communities and the lifeblood of those 1.5 million patients who need blood every year,” Mr Bryce said.
“From cancer patients to road trauma victims, people with blood disorders, surgical patients and new mums – blood is needed somewhere in Australia every 18 seconds.
“It takes just an hour of your time to donate blood and every donation can help save up to three lives.”
The Mobile Donor Unit will return to Narrandera on September 13 and 14.
Book a donation at www.lifeblood.com.au via the free DonateBlood App or by calling 13 14 95.