In 1941, Dr R.J. (Bob) Walsh is assigned by the Australian Red Cross Society to increase the Sydney donor base. Transfusions are rare; blood comes only from hospital-linked donors. From an original 400 donors, Bob recruits 10,000 more. Under Australian Army control, the Transfusion Service becomes the 2nd Australian Blood & Serum Preparation Unit. Major Walsh is made Commanding Officer & in 1942 is appointed to the National BTS Committee. Two decades later, Bob Walsh leads from the front as he did in wartime, convening a group of doctors to oversee the founding of ANZSBT.
