An achievement worth bottling

HMAS Coonawarra CWO Dennis Bentley’s commitment to donating blood began with a simple desire to help someone in need.

A personal experience with someone who required a blood transfusion prompted him to make his first donation and discover a practical way he could help others.

Now, as the annual Defence Blood Drive gets underway, WO Bentley is encouraging Defence personnel across Australia to follow his example.

“Darwin sailors and officers have an exceptional record in supporting community blood drives, from ashore and from our patrol boats,” WO Bentley said.

“There is always a need for blood or plasma donations throughout Australia and Lifeblood is constantly seeking donations.”

WO Bentley recently made his 100th donation through Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, joining the organisation’s 100 Club.

For WO Bentley, reaching 100 donations was less important than the lives potentially affected by every donation.

“The vast majority of us will either need blood/plasma products ourselves or have at least one family member or loved one who will need blood/plasma products in our lifetimes,” he said.

“With that in mind, please consider volunteering yourself and encourage your mates to literally help sustain or save a life.”

WO Bentley is not alone among Coonawarra personnel in supporting Lifeblood. LS Kyle Mainey is also a member of the 100 Club and regularly donates plasma.

“The reason I started to donate blood was to contribute to people who require various operations or medical procedures where plasma is heavily involved,” LS Mainey said.

“I donate plasma as that is the most frequent way of donating, and plasma is a component of blood that gets extracted from it and then red blood cells are returned.”

LS Mainey encouraged eligible ADF personnel to consider making a donation during the Defence Blood Drive.

“I believe if anyone is eligible to donate, they should try it out and contribute to the many people who need assistance with their medical procedures,” he said.

WO Bentley said the Coonawarra team would continue to support Lifeblood, with personnel already planning another group donation.

“The Coonawarra team continue to lean into supporting donations, and we’ve organised another blood run in coming weeks,” he said.

Through the annual Defence Blood Drive, ADF personnel consistently contribute more than 10,000 donations each year, securing vital plasma treatments and helping to save up to 30,000 Australian lives.