Blood bank lauds lifesavers

Bronte Macmillan believes she would not be alive if selfless community members did not donate blood to the Red Cross.

The Eaton resident, 23, "lost a lot of blood" during cervical cancer surgery in August last year and said a blood transfusion helped her survive.

Bunbury Blood Donor Centre is recognising Bunbury people who donate with milestone awards on Thursday.

Ms Macmillan said she was unable to donate blood herself but was thankful for people who did.

"Some people are terrified of needles but they know they could potentially help someone, so it is a selfless act," she said.

"I'll be talking on Thursday about what I've been through and how donating blood has helped me and I just want to show my appreciation to those donors."

Among the people who will receive awards on Thursday is Bunbury resident Garry Crowd, 60, who has donated blood 263 times.

Mr Crowd said he was not sure why he started donating when he was 18 years old but he found satisfaction from helping others.

"I started donating when I was living in Perth and I continued to donate when I moved to Bunbury in 1986," he said.

"Today, I donate because it is all about potentially making someone's life better and I'd love to continue to donate as long as possible.

"The number of times I've donated doesn't matter to me - I don't do it for the recognition."