Since 18-year-old Tom Levien was struck down by a rare genetic disease as a child, monthly plasma infusions have been his lifeblood.
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"Before I was diagnosed, I'd get sick all the time and was having epileptic fits," he said.
"When I started the plasma infusions I went from being underweight, scrawny with epilepsy and sick all the time, to a healthy young man who's probably eating too much cake but who cares!"
After spending years in and out of hospital wards, he takes any opportunity he can get to urge others to donate blood and plasma.
"I've seen the effects of transfusions on people in much worse states than me," he said.
"I've seen kids with leukemia go from lifeless people to being happy and smiling."
Mr Levien had the chance to meet Canberra's transfusion "power couple" - Lindy and Chris Armstrong - who have made more than 500 blood and plasma donations between them and diligently make fortnightly plasma donations.
"It really makes it worthwhile when you meet people who are receiving blood," Mrs Armstrong said.
A dedicated plasma donor centre will open in Canberra in April as part of a pilot to trial Australia-first innovations in blood collection.
Plasma is the most versatile component of human blood is be used to treat people with cancer and leukaemia, blood disorders, brain and nerve diseases, immune deficiencies, and pregnant mothers.
Located in Civic, it is one of two Australian donor centres that will help collect higher volumes of plasma, with Australia's demand for the blood component at an all-time high.
The centre will complement the existing Garran Donor Centre meaning and Canberrans will have two blood donation facilities to choose from, as well as a mobile blood collection service.
The news comes as the Blood Service calls for 400 blood donations between Christmas and New Year to prevent a shortage of blood products vital to the treatment of cancer and trauma patients.
Regular donors are among the millions of busy Australians taking time for Christmas shopping and holidays, leading to a worrying drop in donor numbers.
Blood Service spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire said Canberra was chosen for its strong community support of plasma donation.
"Canberra's Garran Donor Centre is one of the state's top plasma performing sites, and we are excited to give these extraordinary donors the opportunity to help us meet the growing need for plasma," she said.
"The Canberra Plasma Donor Centre will test innovations designed to attract donors, retain existing donors, and ensure a more enjoyable donation experience.
"Touch screen check-in booths, digital questionnaires and free high-speed internet are among the technologies being considered for the new Civic donor centre."
Specialised equipment and training is required to collect plasma, which returns red blood cells to the donor and takes only the plasma component of their blood.
The Canberra plasma pilot will run for a period of two years from its launch in March 2018, and has federal and territory Government support, and is expected to commence in April 2018.
- To donate blood, please call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au
