Melbourne-born Flying Officer Nandini Rajpurohit had long considered donating blood, but this year’s Defence Blood Drive finally inspired her to take the leap.

“I’d always considered donating blood, but between training and settling into my first posting, I never quite took the next step,” Flying Officer Rajpurohit said.

“Now that I’m in my first year at Air Force Headquarters, working in a busy environment that coordinates strategic issues and governance across the Air Force, I’ve been looking for ways to make a positive impact outside the office as well. The Defence Blood Drive felt like the perfect opportunity.”

The 22-year-old staff officer attended her first appointment at the Lifeblood van in Canberra earlier this month, describing her experience as surprisingly easy.

“The Lifeblood staff were incredible, they explained everything to me clearly and the whole process was simple and easy from start to finish,” she said.

“I walked out wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner.”

'Even small individual contributions matter and align with our values of service and community support.'

Flying Officer Rajpurohit said she had always understood how essential donating blood was.

“Knowing that a single donation can help save up to three lives is incredibly motivating,” she said.

“It’s a simple action that can make a real difference, and it’s encouraging to know there are health benefits for donors too, like supporting cardiovascular health and stimulating the production of new blood cells.”

Flying Officer Rajpurohit is now urging her Australian Defence Force colleagues and the wider community to join the effort.

“The hardest part is just booking the appointment,” she said.

“Once that’s done, the rest is easy. If someone is unsure, I’d encourage them to give it a try. It doesn’t take long, and you walk away knowing you’ve genuinely helped someone who may desperately need it.

“I’m proud to be part of the Defence Blood Drive. Working at Air Force Headquarters gives you a broader view of how Defence operates and the impact we aim to have, so it feels meaningful to participate in something with such an immediate, tangible benefit to Australians.

“It’s a reminder that even small individual contributions matter and align with our values of service and community support.”

Donations are welcome year-round – you just need to be aged 18-75 years old and meet Lifeblood’s eligibility requirements.

Book your life-changing appointment today at Lifeblood.