The asset planning co-ordinator and Tatura local is one of G-MW’s Lifeblood team members — comprised of staff across the business who donate blood at their local branches.
With more than a two decades of dedication at G-MW, Matthew has provided nearly 100 blood and plasma donations and said one of the reasons he was eager to continue donating was seeing the impacts donated blood had had for his family.
“My brother was in a really bad accident and needed some blood,” he said.
“My sister-in-law, when she gave birth, she needed about seven units of blood. I‘ve had other friends who have had issues with pregnancy too.
“I don’t think about considering donating anymore. I just know it’s good to do.”
Matthew’s first blood donation was when he was studying at the University of Melbourne, followed by his second several years later at a local clinic.
It was that trip that made him eager to help out the clinic in other ways.
“I volunteered there for a year and a half. I remember that well,” he said.
“There's still some ladies at the blood bank in Shepparton that I remember. We know each other by name.”
Lifeblood spokesperson Aania Tandon said Matthew’s generosity and commitment to helping others had assisted people of all ages and from all walks of life.
“The main users of blood and blood products include people undergoing cancer treatment, women giving birth, trauma victims and people with blood disorders and immune conditions,” she said.
“Data shows one in three people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, but only one in 30 currently donates.
“An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life. You never know whose life you might be saving.”
Last year alone, the Shepparton Donor Centre collected over 9000 blood and plasma donations, saving up to 27,000 lives — and this year already, the G-MW Lifeblood team has generously contributed 47 donations.
To book a donation or check if you can donate, call 131 495 or visit the Lifeblood website: lifeblood.com.au
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