Paul Jenkins is a 71-year-old Melton residents who is Victorias highest blood donor and Australia’s second highest. He told Star Weekly about his donation work and his connection to Melton.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do?
I served four years in fitting and machining at the Footscray ammunition factory commencing in January 1969, remaining there until January 1978 before training as a technical teacher for the then Education Department of Victoria.
Tell us about your blood donation work?
In February 1971 I made my first blood donation at my workplace.The mobile unit would attend at three-monthly intervals.
Due to clashes with my trade studies I changed to the Flinders Street blood centre which later relocated to South Melbourne having outgrown the space available in that building.
I donated plasma every four weeks until the frequency was lowered to 14 days.
My 500th donation was made at South Melbourne on my 56th birthday.
I have donated whole blood, plasma, platelets and double red cells.
After the opening of a new donor centre located in Mathews Avenue, Airport West, I commenced donating there.
I clearly remember it being my 515th donation.
I have made donations in all states of Australia and three donations In Canberra, ACT.
Additionally I have made 27 donations in the United States between 1995 and 2022, commencing in New Mexico, then in Wyoming, New Orleans, New York, Washington, Colorado, Utah, San Francisco California, Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, and Arizona.
What’s your connection to Melton?
I have resided in Melton since 1974, first in West Melton for 11 years then moving to Kurunjang in 1986.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
If I were given a magic wand I would immediately create eight lanes on the Western Freeway between the Deer Park bypass connection up to Ferris Road and continuing as 6 lanes on Bulmans Road with the interchange at that location completed.
Also the long overdue duplication of the Melton Highway from Ryan’s Road to the existing duplication located at The Regency, Hillside.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
In May I made my 850th donation and was the first Victorian to reach this milestone.
I am fortunate to have good health and intend to continue donations well in the future.
