THREE hundred blood donations was a milestone an Albury teacher never thought she would reach yesterday after she came close to losing her life in a horse accident 24 years ago.

Olwen Steel was one donation away from reaching the 50 mark when she leapt from her horse, which was spooked by a car, at Mungabareena in 1990 with the head injury she suffered leading to brain surgery.

“I remember clearly that I had my 49th donation and I was just ready to my 50th and I had to wait two years (recovering) before I could donate again. I was itching to get back to it,” Ms Steel said.

That experience cemented the importance of blood donation as the many recipients of the 270 litres of blood she has given in 43 years were often forced to face the delicate balance between life and death.

Ms Steel followed in her mother’s footsteps when she began donating at 17.

To donate phone 13 14 95.