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To mark National Blood Donors Week, Darling Downs Health (DDH) is celebrating the life-saving efforts of its workforce, who have made 264 blood donations to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood this year, helping to save 792 lives to date.
In support of Lifeblood's national campaign 'Life is the Reason', DDH is calling on even more employees and the community to roll up their sleeves and donate whole blood, plasma, or platelets to help patients in need across the region. Blood donations play a critical role in treatment for people experiencing trauma, undergoing surgery, facing cancer, managing blood disorders or kidney disease, or recovering from childbirth or burns.
A recent analysis by Lifeblood revealed that the most common reason people donate is to help others. Other top reasons include 'because I can', to 'give back', to 'save lives' and 'because it feels good to help others'. For others, it's simply for the 'party pies' they receive as a snack after their donation.
DDH employee Anna Beadle made her first-ever blood donation at the Toowoomba Lifeblood Donation Centre on Wednesday 11 June.
“It’s incredible to think that I can help save someone’s life by taking some time out of my day to relax in a chair and enjoy some snacks,” Ms Beadle said.
“Knowing that this donation can help in so many ways leaves you feeling good for the rest of the day, and I’d encourage anyone who is able to donate to register with Lifeblood.”
DH employee Anna Beadle
Following her donation, Anna was sporting a bold new red bandage instead of the traditional white one. The switch to red bandages is a permanent change, aimed at sparking conversations about blood donation and inspiring more people to become blood and plasma donors.
Lifeblood needs more than 1.7 million donations every year to meet the demand for blood and blood products, which is at a 12 year high.
“As blood is such a precious resource, Darling Downs Health ensures no drop is wasted and all blood products are used wisely,” said Elly McCormick, DDH Clinical Nurse Consultant who helps facilitate and advocate for good blood stewardship.
“Employees at DDH know first-hand how a blood donation can save a life, so we’re extremely proud of our Lifeblood team which has contributed 264 blood donations so far this year.”
ENDS