By Matthew Sims
Williamstown community members are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life this Christmas.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is running a pop-up donation centre from Monday, December 19 to Saturday, December 31.
At least 200 donors are required to donate at the pop-up centre in Williamstown, with most donors needed between Monday, December 26 and Friday, December 30.
Lifeblood spokesperson Elle Giles said donations are especially needed during the festive season, as many regular donors travel over the summer holiday period.
“Christmas is the season for giving, and what could be a better gift than giving blood, which is needed somewhere in Australia every 18 seconds,” she said.
“Donating blood doesn’t cost anything, but for a patient it is life changing.
“For some, it could mean spending another Christmas with family and friends.”
There will be people in hospital over the Christmas and New Year period who will be relying on donated blood for serious accidents, surgery, complicated childbirths and plasma treatment.
Donors who donate up to Friday, December 30 can request a ‘Gift of Life’ gift tag to either ‘gift’ their donation to someone this Christmas or to encourage others to roll up their sleeves.
“With one in three Aussies needing blood or blood products in their lifetime, our message this Christmas is to give a gift you know is on the top of someone’s wish list,” Ms Giles said.
“We are urging people to donate so we can ensure that patients in hospital who need blood every day will receive the blood and blood products they need,”
“Blood donation is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give, not just at Christmas time but all-year round.”
The Williamstown pop-up donation centre will be located at the Williamstown Town Hall at 104 Ferguson St.
Recent Lifeblood data revealed every year 40,000 people donate blood or plasma for the first time, but never return for a second donation.
Details: www.lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre/vic/williamstown-pop-up-donor-centre
