“You’ll never catch me, son!”

With super blood and plasma donor Gerard Crampton some 15 years younger than 70-year old Roland “Roly” Samuels, suggesting his older friend and fellow businessman could possibly catch him up in the donation stakes is probably a moot point.

Or, as Roly prefers to put it: “A safe bet.”

Gerard, principal of Crampton’s Carpets, has notched up an incredible 285 blood and plasma donations while Roly, from Furney’s Stockfeeds, has just made his 250th donation at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre in Dubbo – which many people would know by its old moniker, "the blood bank".

Both men are what Lifeblood considers "donor legends" and have made it onto the organisation’s photo board which recognises significant blood donation milestones.

Roly and Gerard are hardworking, hands-on Dubbo businessmen but still find the time to visit the blood bank donor centre to donate either plasma or blood.

Roly said he and Gerard need little encouragement to donate regularly, and hoped others would join them in doing so.

He explained the quick, simple process to Dubbo Photo News.

“It’s an outing unlike any other. You’re greeted with a smile and a questionnaire that allows you to embrace the reality of the world’s day and night activity. There are no trick questions!” he told Dubbo Photo News.

“Having passed the on-screen assessment, it’s off to a one-on-one confessional-like experience where your health is calibrated with questions such as ‘been anywhere nice lately?’ or ‘your blood pressure is perfect, sure you’re not 30 years younger?’” he added.

After completing the health questions, donors are escorted to a communal dormitory where they take their place on a nominated “magic lounge chair”, Roly said.

“Hey presto, you’re ready to start!”

Roly describes the attending nurse who arranges to take the blood or plasma as the donor’s “guardian angel,” ensuring all is well as the process takes place.

He said when he makes his regular donations he can be joined in the room by visitors from overseas, “out-of-towners”, grey nomads, and regular community members.

“People I’ve known for 50 years but not aware they donated blood or plasma,” he said.

It’s also possible to be quite spoilt during the donation process, offered a barista-style coffee, juice of preference, milkshakes or thickshakes, he added, indicating the larder is also “overflowing" with snacks, treats and hot foods.

“The kitchen is supervised by happy, wonderful volunteers who brighten up everyone’s day,” he said.

Roly said the community may not be aware of why it is important to donate blood and plasma.

“The public needs blood, so does science and research that produce world-leading vaccines and other medicines using the blood and plasma donated in Australia through the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor centres,” he explained.

Gerard saw this community need and acted on it at the young age of 16, Roly said.

“He had concerns about his friends’ health so he continues to donate when it fits in with his business commitments which can take him just about anywhere in NSW that needs to cover a floor,” he added.

It’s something that resonates strongly with Roly too, who was a patient at Royal North Shore spinal ward at 16 with a life-changing experience.

Joining the faces on the Dubbo donor legends board means a lot to Roly.

“When you take the time and check out the faces of the legends at the blood bank, it’s overwhelming,” he said.

“The lifelong generosity – some have donated hundreds and hundreds of times,” he added.

“Someone else will benefit from your blood and plasma donation, and will enjoy a better life from it,” new blood and plasma donor legend Roly concluded.

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Open Tuesday through Friday and on alternate Saturdays, the Lifeblood Dubbo donor centre at 150 Darling St welcomes enquiries. Bookings to attend can be made online at www.lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre/nsw/dubbo-donor-centre.