Massive call for blood donors. Is your suburb the best? Is it more generous than the others?
Well the proof will be in the blood bag with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service’s latest challenge – the ‘Battle of the Burbs’.
In the annual blood drive, the Red Cross Nepean Donor Centre is calling on members of the community to give generously throughout April.
“Battle of the Burbs is a fun and friendly competition to raise awareness of the need to donate blood and encourage people to contact the Red Cross if they are looking to donate for the first time,” said Jemma Falkenmire, Red Cross Public Affairs manager.
“And particularly over Easter, many of our regular donors go on holidays so there can be a shortage – blood only has a shelf life of five days so it is important for us to keep recruiting donors.”
Only about three per cent of the Australian population donates blood.
The challenge is on this year for western Sydney suburbs to step up and donate.
“Nepean suburbs did really well last year. We keep count via people’s post codes so it is all done automatically,” Ms Falkenmire said.
Penrith City Mayor, Greg Davies, has also laid down the challenge to the Penrith business community.
“Penrith City Council runs a blood donation program for its staff so that staff members can come and donate blood. Businesses in Penrith should step up and encourage their staff to come,” he said.
