News / Health
Brunswick lifesaver reaches 550 blood and plasma donations
74-year-old’s donating began in 1970
Brunswick Voice
Monday, March 23, 2026
A BRUNSWICK man has reached a milestone of 500 blood and plasma donations over more than half a century, saving 1650 lives as a result.
Alexander Wowk made his 550th donation at Lifeblood’s Brunswick donor centre on March 17.
Wowk, 74 and a semi-retired electrical contractor, began donating in 1970, when the blood bus came to his factory when he was an apprentice.
“I was a little afraid, but the boys were all going to donate so I went along too,” he said.
“The more I donated, the more I got over the fear.
“It feels good to know you are helping someone. I’ve never known anyone who needed blood, but I like thinking that I am helping someone who does need it.”
Lifeblood hopes Alexander’s selfless milestone will inspire others in the community to follow in their footsteps and lay
down their arm to donate blood and plasma.
Lifeblood spokesperson Aania Tandon said Wowk’s 550 donations have gone to people of all ages and from all walks of life who rely on blood.
“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.
“Alexander has helped to save lives and improve the quality of life for so many through their ongoing generosity”.
Tandon said Lifeblood hoped Wowk’s milestone would inspire others in the community to follow in their footsteps and lay down their arm to donate blood and plasma.
“We need 230 more donors in the next week to fill appointments at Lifeblood’s Brunswick Donor Centre.
“If you’ve never donated before, this is a great time to give it a go.”
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A whole blood donation appointment takes one hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes and can be made every three months.
A plasma donation takes an hour and a half, with 40 minutes in the donor chair, and can be made every fortnight.
“This year, we need 100,000 new donors around the country to keep up with the increasing hospital demand for blood and plasma,” Tandon 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.”
The Brunswick Lifeblood Donor Centre, at the bottom of the apartment building opposite the Albert Street Woolworths, opened in September 2022.
Since then, 27,364 donations of whole blood and 39,709 plasma collections have been made there.
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