The NSW Police Force is encouraging the community to help save lives by donating blood this holiday season, as officers continue to take part in the Bleed4Blue campaign.
Bleed4Blue – an annual, three-month law enforcement-focused blood drive in partnership with Red Cross Lifeblood – launched following the stabbing of an officer in Maroubra on Australia Day in 2018.
Now in its sixth year, officers continue to roll up their sleeves at Lifeblood Donor Centres across the state, along with their family and friends, to donate lifesaving blood products.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon joined officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command at the Lifeblood Penrith Donor Centre on Tuesday, where they made a major team donation to help address Lifeblood’s urgent call for donations.
“Donating blood is our way of serving the community in another vital way and we would encourage other members of the public to do it also,” Lanyon said.
“As police officers, we often witness the life-saving difference that donated blood can make; we are approaching the busiest time of year on NSW roads and, sadly, road trauma puts a further strain on our hospitals.
“I’m extremely proud to see so many officers rolling up their sleeves to donate this year, and with the help of the community, hopefully even more people will benefit from this year’s Bleed4Blue campaign.”
The Bleed4Blue campaign has generated more than 25,000 blood donations and helped save at least 75,000 lives.
The ‘Bleed4Blue’ campaign runs until the end of February 2024 and again challenges police officers nationwide to take part, to see which state or territory can donate the most blood.
For more information on donating visit https://www.donateblood.com.au/bleed-4-blue.
Weekender Newsroom
This post has been published by the team in our newsroom.