Blood and plasma donors will be easier to spot this National Blood Donor Week with new red bandages.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood permanently replaced its white arm bandages with the Life is the Reason bandage to recognise the importance of donors during the national week from June 13 to 19.
Spokesperson Emily Granland said the new branded bandages aimed to promote discussions about blood donations and encouraged more people to become donors.
“I would like to thank all the blood, plasma and platelet donors in Geelong for their ongoing kindness and generosity,” she said.
“There are still around 300 appointments available to donate at Lifeblood’s Geelong Donor Centre on Ryrie Street in the next two weeks.
“A blood donation appointment takes an hour, but it can give someone the rest of their life and a new blood donor is needed every five minutes in Australia.”
Acting chief executive Cath Stone said there were many “incredible” reasons why people donate, whether in memory of a loved one or “simply to help a complete stranger”.
“We need people talking and thinking about blood and plasma donation and encouraging each other to roll up their sleeves,” she said.
“We know that branded post-donation bandages are a great way to start conversations and boost awareness about blood donation.
“Research has also shown that people who wear branded donation bandages are perceived by others to be generous, warm, healthy and altruistic.”
