◄ Back to Blood Service in Brief July 2016
If there’s anyone in Australia who knows the vital importance of blood donation, it’s health workers. They know that every time a patient gets a blood product, a blood donor needed to give it.
But, even though everyone working in the health industry knows donation is important, it’s nice to have a little extra incentive to do it yourself — like some healthy competition.
That’s why this year, hospitals and health providers around the country are competing in the inaugural Health Services Blood Challenge, run by the Blood Service’s group donation program, Red25. During the challenge, which started on 1 May and runs until 31 July, health providers compete within their states to be the biggest blood donors by group and by individual.
“Red25 has run blood challenges for the Australian Defence Force, emergency services personnel and medical students for years, and we thought it was time for health workers to have their own challenge,” said Dru Mills, National Partnerships Manager for the Blood Service.
“It’s a fun way for co-workers to get together and give a donation that doesn’t cost anything and could do even more to help the patients they care for every day.”
So far, over 1,880 donations have been made during the challenge, and it’s not over yet.
“There’s still time to sign up for your hospital’s Red25 group and donate if you haven’t already,” said Dru. “Every donation counts!”
Learn more or sign up at donateblood.com.au/health-challenge
Photo: So the supply never runs dry: Staff from St John of God Perth donating at the Perth Donor Centre in the inaugural Red25 Health Services Blood Challenge.