Peter holds the record with 800 donations

West Australian Peter Ray made a new record this week when he gave blood for the 800th time.

The 64-year-old war veteran holds the current record for the most blood donations in Western Australia.

Mr Ray first started donating almost 50 years ago as a 16-year-old Naval apprentice.

Only five years later Mr Ray became the recipient of blood after an accident on a Navy submarine during the Vietnam War led to the loss of his left arm.

Mr Ray’s donations are made even more special because he is one of only 36 West Australian donors whose plasma is used to make Anti-D, a special product that helps prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn. He now donates plasma every two weeks at Perth Blood Donor Centre.

As every donation helps save the lives of three people, Peter’s 800 donations have already helped save the lives of 2400 people, including many newborn babies.

Every week Australia needs more than 27,000 blood donations to help patients in need.

Give blood donation a go. The lives you help save could one day be that of a family member or close friend.

To find out more or make an appointment call the Blood Service on 13 14 95 or book online.