Giving blood is a simple act but has the power to save lives so consider heading to the blood bank this festive season.
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Wauchope resident George Campbell recently completed his 75th blood or plasma donation and said it was a wonderful to do something for others.
"I have been donating blood products since my mid 20s when it was promoted as a good thing to do by my workplace," Mr Campbell said.
"It is an easy thing to fit into a lunch break or before or after work and I sort of got into the habit of doing it.
"Back then I think I donated blood for a few years as often as I was allowed to but for whatever reason I gave it up."
Blood is surprisingly versatile. The blood people donate can be made into 22 different medical treatments including cancer treatments, blood diseases, anaemia, heart disease and during childbirth, operations and burns.
Mr Campbell said he started again in 2007 after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"When sue got sick she had to have a number of operations and needed blood and plasma transfusions," he said.
"It was then I realised that people who we didn't know had donated and helped save her life and I rang up and booked the next available donation appointment.
"Since then I have donated as often as I was allowed and now it is just a habit."
Donated blood can be stored for 42 days and anyone between the age of 18-75 can regularly donate.
He said if you are able to donate you definitely should consider it.
"The process itself is very simple and the staff in Port Macquarie are really superb," he said.
"Because it is now a habit when I finish my donation I just book my next appointment and they send you reminders beforehand.
"All you have to do is sit in a chair, relax and then you get a snack and drink at the end."
To donate call 13 14 95 today.