General News
15 May, 2026
Mark inspires others to give blood
TRACEY Dean knows only too well the importance of blood donations.
The Warrnambool Lifeblood nurse and proud mum of three lost her husband Mark to myeloma (blood cancer) just over a year ago and she is now encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeves and donate blood and plasma whenever possible.
“It’s now been 12 months since Mark died and we are now doing all we can to encourage others to give blood and plasma to help patients like Mark.”
After being diagnosed in 2018 with blood cancer, Mark received multiple blood and platelet transfusions during his seven-year long treatment.
“He must have also received thousands of doses of plasma during his immunotherapy which he received weekly for the last three years of his life,” Tracey said.
Since Mark’s passing, more than 70 friends and family members have donated in his memory.
With every donation saving up to three lives, they have (together) saved as many as 210 lives so far.
“My family was gifted extra time by countless unknown donors, whose blood, plasma, and platelets helped Mark feel well. It gave him and our family many more precious memories together,” Tracey said.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to anyone who came in to donate. It helped celebrate Mark’s life, and it made our family feel truly supported.”
With the colder months now upon us, Tracey said blood and plasma supplies can often become low.
“Donor numbers can sometimes drop in the cooler months, whether it’s because it’s just too cold for some people to come out or because they themselves fall ill and can’t donate I’m not sure,” she said.
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“We do, however, have some wonderful regulars at the Warrnambool centre who come every week; they’re amazing and are always up for a bit of a chat.”
Lifeblood spokesperson Ashbyi Randall said the people of Warrnambool are extremely community-minded and will step up to ensure there is enough blood and plasma to help patients like Mark.
“More than a third of all blood donations go to people undergoing cancer treatment, but one in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime,” she said.
“That could be for emergency surgery, road trauma, blood disorders or bleeding during childbirth.”
Warrnambool locals also have more opportunities to donate as the donor centre has extended opening hours to include Fridays.
A blood donation appointment takes around an hour and can be made every three months, while plasma can be donated more frequently.
A plasma appointment lasts about 90 minutes and can be made every fortnight.
“The simple act of giving can go a long way – not only for patients, but their families too.”
Lifeblood’s Warrnambool donor centre is located at 2 Fairy Street and is open from Tuesday to Friday.
To book a donation, call 13 14 95 or book online at lifeblood.com.au or download the Lifeblood app.
