Recently, the Ambulance Victoria (AV) Emergency Services Blood Drive team pumped up the numbers, topping 200 donations for the year, just as two Gippsland paramedics rolled up their sleeves to reach a combined 200 Lifeblood donations between them.
Heyfield Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) Team Leader Kim Marchesi and Acting Wellington Paramedic Community Support Co-ordinator (PCSC) Will Jeffery were excited to reach the milestone together at the Traralgon Red Cross Lifeblood Centre.
Combined, they have donated enough plasma to save a predicted 600 lives.
"I've known Kim for a long time and over the past year, we compared the number of donations we made, competing to see who would reach 100 first," Will said.
"When we both got closer, we decided to donate together to make reaching that milestone extra special."
Will started giving blood about 20 years ago after his friend recommended they donate together.
After realising how easy it was and seeing first-hand the difference it makes, Will's been doing it ever since.
"As a paramedic, I see Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics give blood products to trauma patients on road," he said.
"In these moments, I wonder if it may be the products I've donated that could be helping to save the person's life.
"It also hits close to home for me as I've had family members require plasma donations."
Much like Will, Kim made her first donation with a friend, and 10 years later it's still part of her regular routine.
"I usually donate every three or four weeks. It's just a bit of my time that can help so many people," she said.
"Living up in the bush, I've attended many cases as an ACO where the helicopter arrives to give a patient blood products.
"We've all been touched by someone who needs blood or plasma for a range of conditions. If I can help out even one person, it's worth it."
Giving blood is a simple, safe, and carefully monitored process with lifesaving impacts.
The Emergency Services Blood Drive runs until 31 August, with emergency services across the country participating.
"I think it's important for people who can donate, to donate," Will said.
"You don't know if one day you or someone close to you will need blood or blood products.
"It's very easy to book online, takes less than an hour and you get great snacks afterwards."
