A-POSITIVE INITIATIVE: Local blood drive returning to Strathalbyn
“Australia needs 33,000 donations every week to meet the needs of patients who require blood for accidents, cancer treatment, surgery, blood disorders, complicated births, and many more,” she told The Southern Argus
An increasing need for lifesaving blood donations has sparked an urgent call-out for local donors to give up around 10 minutes and a pint at pop-up centres over the next month.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is a government-funded organisation that provides life-giving blood, plasma, transplantation, and biological products for world-leading health outcomes.
Lifeblood’s mobile and pop-up donor centres visit Strathalbyn, Mount Barker and Murray Bridge every three months, seeking blood donations, particularly those with types O+, A+ and A-.
One of the centres will return to Strathalbyn this month, and Lifeblood spokesperson Jennifer Slater encouraged as many eligible residents aged 18 to 75 to roll up their sleeve when the time comes.
“Australia needs 33,000 donations every week to meet the needs of patients who require blood for accidents, cancer treatment, surgery, blood disorders, complicated births, and many more,” she told The Southern Argus.
“Donating blood only takes an hour of your time, but for a patient, it’s life-changing.
“That change may be a second chance, the key to a fuller life or perhaps, it’s more time with family and friends.
“We always enjoy catching up with our regular donors, and are hoping to see plenty of new faces too.”
Regular donor and Murray Bridge resident Anita Millsteed was one of the first to roll up her sleeve when the centre visited her town last month.
Ms Millsteed has donated regularly since the mid-70s, and recently made her 75th donation to Lifeblood – a milestone she felt proud of.
“My dad was a blood donor in Adelaide and when I moved to Murray Bridge, a friend said they were donating and I should come along, so I’ve been doing it ever since,” she said.
“You’re doing something good, and they let you know where your blood goes sometimes.
“I would encourage people to go along and spend an hour out of their day to donate – it’s needed.”
Making a donation takes approximately 10 minutes, but it is recommended patients allow an hour for the appointment, which includes a post-donation complimentary snack and drink.
The mobile donation centre will set up at the Strathalbyn Library on Monday, June 20 from 10.30am to 6pm and Tuesday, June 21 from 9.30am to 5pm.
It will then travel to St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mount Barker on Tuesday, June 28 from 11am to 6.30pm, plus June 29 and 30 from 10am to 7pm, and Friday, July 1 from 8am to 8.30pm.
To book an appointment, either contact 13 14 95, visit (www.lifeblood.com) or download the DonateBlood mobile app.
