Policelink Police Operational Adviser Sergeant Jeffrey Bruynesteyn has proudly made his 600th blood donation to help sick and injured Australians.
Sergeant Bruynesteyn has been donating blood since he was 18, following in the footsteps of both his mother and grandmother.
“My mother was an inspiration for me,” Sergeant Bruynesteyn said.
“She donated whole blood for all of her adult life until her age made it too difficult, and her mother before her gave blood in Holland when it was direct donor-to-patient transfusion.”
When Sergeant Bruynesteyn’s sister suffered complications during childbirth, the officer saw just how important donating blood can be to someone in need.
“My sister needed 16 pints of blood, which is the same amount of blood that one person can donate if they do it regularly for four years,” he said.
“It goes to show just how crucial every blood donation can be.”
Sergeant Bruynesteyn donated whole blood four times a year for his first 30-odd donations, but now also donates plasma every two weeks.
Sergeant Bruynesteyn celebrates his 600th blood donation
Despite the fact that Sergeant Bruynesteyn has been donating blood for 37 years, the Police Operational Adviser said he never got used to the needles.
“I can’t stand the process, I can’t watch it go in,” he said.
“I can’t watch it on me, on others or on television. The pain is fleeting and bearable, but I just can’t watch.”
Despite his apprehension towards “the slight pinch”, Sergeant Bruynesteyn said he was proud and humbled to reach his 600th blood donation.
“Just the thought of helping sick people, helping them live their lives and helping them get over illness, that’s why I do it.”
