Wyndham council officers are encouraging people to roll up their sleeves for a good cause and donate to Lifeblood’s local government blood challenge.
Local Government Lifeblood Teams across the nation will compete to take the top spot in four categories, most donations, most new donors, most plasma donations and highest year-on-year growth.
Council officer Philip Wilson said a tragic accident was the catalyst to him becoming a blood donor.
“In 2000, a colleague, of mine that I worked with collecting rubbish lost both of his legs in an accident and needed life-saving blood transfusions. There was a widespread call for new donors and this was the spur I needed to start donating blood,” Mr Wilson said.
“I have also spent some time visiting the oncology ward in 2007-2008 at my local hospital while my late wife was being treated for leukaemia and have seen patients receiving blood transfusions as part of their treatment.
“This has confirmed my desire to keep giving blood for as long as I am able.”
When a blood donation saved council officer Dani Edwards, she decided to repay the favour.
“When I had my daughter, I lost two litres of blood and needed to have 2x units replaced, therefore I have always wanted to give back. I truly believe this saved my life,” she said.
“I had lots of obstacles in my life where I could not donate, but each time I was able to, it gives me tingles and such an amount of joy. I truly love receiving the text messages saying which hospital my blood has gone to and that it has helped save someone’s life.”
Having a O negative blood type makes council officer Carly Woods a universal donor, meaning she can supply blood to anyone regardless of their blood type.
“With only around 9 per cent of Australians being O negative I think it’s important to donate if you can. Having had family and friends who have received life-saving blood transfusions, I feel It’s a small way I can give back to my community,” she said.
Lifeblood is urgently calling for donors as factors such as floods in NSW and sickness hit blood supplies.
Community members can donate blood or plasma until September 30 at the Lifeblood centre in Werribee.
Details: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/donate-as-a-group/blood-challenges/local-government-blood-challenge
Fatima Halloum
