He recalled doctors telling him he had a 50 per cent chance of surviving two years with his condition.

"I had been working in the petroleum industry for years which had a bad impact on my liver, the odd scotch probably didn't help either."

He was placed number on the transplant list for a new liver and was lucky to receive one after six months.

During that six months Mr Padgett survived a number of complications that almost killed him.

He developed a condition called varices, which caused veins to rupture in his stomach and throat and he was losing blood on a daily basis.

"Over that period I was having transfusions every 10 days, I was projectile vomiting blood."

Mr Padgett received his new liver on May 10, 2008, and while undergoing surgery in Melbourne he bled out on the table six times and was kept alive by donors.

During his ordeal Mr Padgett realised the vital role that the Red Cross blood service plays in our healthcare system.

He attended the Red Cross Annual Donor Milestone Awards to tell his story and said he was overwhelmed at the dedication shown by some donors.

"It brings home the fact that there are really good people in the world, because of these people I am alive today. It is just as important as the liver I got."

This year, The Year of the Blood Donor, is about sending that message and encouraging people to become blood donors to help save lives.