By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG’S blood service hopes to be overrun with first-time donors after one of its stalwarts gave his 200th donation this week.
Deputy Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood fronted up for the milestone after first giving blood in 1982.
“My father was a dialysis patient and always needed a lot of blood transfusions,” Cr Harwood said.
“Knowing someone who needs blood allows you to see the absolute benefits of donating blood or plasma.”
With the Easter and Anzac Day holidays approaching, the Blood Service is urging locals to fill nearly 200 appointments needed to bolster stocks especially vital to treating cancer patients.
The Blood Service launched its Easter Egg-straction drive to encourage Geelong residents to make donations during their time off.
Blood Service spokesperson Sarah McKendrick said the drive aimed to help combat an expected loss of donations from the consecutive long-weekends.
“The Easter long-weekend and subsequent Anzac Day long-weekend mean many regular donors will be away on vacation but the need for blood never takes a break,” she said.
“We still need nearly 200 people to help fill appointments at Geelong Donor Centre. Just an hour of your time could mean a lifetime to someone else.”
Geelong Donor Centre will be closed on Good Friday but appointments are available all other days, including early evening timeslots.
Appointments are available at donateblood.com.au or by phoning 13 14 95.
