Four decades on, the steelworker still takes the time to donate every fortnight and his dedication was recognised at a weekend ceremony held as part of National Blood Donor Week.

With more than 500 donations under his belt, the father-of-four is Wollongong’s highest milestone donor and is among the top 10 donors across the state. He is  one of more than 144 donors at the Wollongong centre honoured for 50-plus donations.

‘‘Back in ’73 you couldn’t donate until you were 18 so my mother – a regular donor – took me along on my 18th birthday,’’  Mr Eastley said.

‘‘A lot’s changed since those days ... and Wollongong now has a great, modern new centre. ‘‘It’s so comfortable now, that most of the time I fall asleep during a donation and they have to wake me up when they’ve finished.’’

The 59-year-old’s motivation to keep giving has not waned over the years.

‘‘My mother was diagnosed with cancer not long after I left high school and needed blood transfusions so that really inspired me to keep at it,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve also been called out to give emergency donations a couple of times – once for a child battling leukaemia and another time to help a motor vehicle accident victim - and that really made it hit home how important it is to give blood.’’

Mr Eastley initially made full blood donations but he now helps meet the nation’s need for a blood component called plasma, donating 820ml of this ‘‘liquid gold’’ every two weeks.

Wollongong still needs about 150 donors this week to fill all available appointments. Call 131 495 or visit donateblood.com.au.