70-year-old Coraki resident makes giving blood, plasma part of his regular routine

Monday was World Blood Donor Day, and also 70-year-old William Brener’s birthday, and he will celebrate by giving his 293rd donation in Lismore on June 16.

BLOOD DONOR: Coraki resident William Brener (in aqua top front row), donated 10 years ago when Lifeblood opened their new centre in Lismore after moving from Uralba St to Bounty St. On June 16, 2021, Mr Brener will make donation 293 since he started in Sydney back in 1985.

Every two weeks Coraki resident William Brener drives to Lismore, rolls up his sleeve and donates plasma at the town’s Blood Donor Centre.

So it’s perhaps apt that on Wednesday, Mr Brener, 70, who was born on World Blood Donor Day (June 14), will attend the Lismore Blood Donor Centre, which will also be celebrating its 10 year anniversary during National Blood Donor Week.

Mr Brener said giving blood or plasma was a simple act of kindness, hope and generosity of spirit – and one that was very much needed at the moment.

A passionate social justice activist, Mr Brener is also a member of Amnesty International and said that his regular donations were a key part of his routine.

“You just have to give it a go,” he said.

“We are in a time where there such as disparity between wealth and waste, there are so many people who have nothing and it is important than an individual does what they can to make a difference.”

According to Lifeblood spokeswoman Belinda Smetioukh, Mr Brener is proof of the beauty of blood donations, which allows ordinary people to be extraordinary lifesavers, even in times of hardship such as bushfires, floods, and pandemics.

But Mr Brener denied he was doing anything special.

“I’m type B+ and I come into Lismore to do my shopping every couple of weeks and also do some protesting for Amnesty International and I make time to give plasma,” he said.

However, according to Lifeblood, plasma from people with type AB or type B is vital for patients with injury, severe burns or blood diseases.

“I started donating in Sydney in 1985,” he said.

“Ten years ago I donated blood in Lismore when they opened the new donor centre which fell on my birthday and I make an effort to donate on that day each year too.”

But he did say he enjoyed a sweet treat after each donation.

“I love a chocolate after donating plasma,” he said.

“There’s no guilt eating chocolate after a donation.”

Ms Smetioukh said during National Blood Donor Week, staff want to say a huge thank you to all their donors such as Mr Brener who made a difference.

“And we want to ask others to use this week to make a change for life by becoming a blood donor,” Ms Smetioukh said.

“Giving blood feels great, and it only takes an hour of your time.

“We’re calling on Lismore locals to make a change for life and become a blood donor.”

Ms Smetioukh said Facebook and Lifeblood have joined forces to launch Facebook’s Blood Donation feature which allows people to sign up to receive notifications about when their blood is needed at their local donor centre.

“From cancer patients to road trauma victims, people with blood disorders to burns victims, donated blood underpins quality healthcare in Australia,” Ms Smetioukh said.

“Each week, Australia’s blood donors collectively give 31,000 donations, that’s the equivalent of a donation every 24 seconds in the time our blood donor centres are open.”

You can donate after a flu vaccine, and seven days after a Covid vaccine.

Lismore Donor Centre still needs 150 blood donors over the next two weeks, and first timers especially, are invited to begin their blood donation journey during National Blood Donor Week by booking in via 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au.