A CLONBINANE Country Fire Authority, CFA, volunteer hit a blood donation milestone, completing 133 donations to date.
Luke Vienet began donating blood and plasma at the age of 16, first with his school then continued the habit.
“You were allowed to donate when you were 16 when I first started. My school offered a program where they would drive the students down to donate in small groups in a minibus,” Mr Vienet said.
“It was really encouraged by the school and I just thought it was a good thing to do.”
Since he began, Mr Vienet has donated whenever and wherever he could – even completing his 125th donation in Launceston while visiting family.
He said he also began volunteering with CFA when he was 16 after being inspired by his father, and considered the two going hand-in-hand.
“I see both donating blood and volunteering with CFA as giving back with no exception – and providing a service firsthand. When I’m with CFA, I’m protecting lives and properties directly,” he said.
“As well as that, when donating blood I know that my donation is going directly to the people who need it, which is really important to me.”
Mr Vienet encouraged others to donate in any way they could.
“It’s vital to get involved, many people depend on it, and you never know – you might need it yourself one day,” he said.
“It’s a really rewarding feeling, it’s a great thing to do. At the end of the day, I think ‘what have I achieved today?’ and if it’s a blood donation and saving those lives, then that’s a great feeling.”
