With the demand for blood at an all-time high, members of the NSW Police Force are uniting with friends and family rolling up their sleeves to launch the fifth annual 'Bleed4Blue' blood drive.
Beginning today (Thursday 1 December 2022), the Bleed4Blue 2022 campaign is a three-month law enforcement-focused blood drive that runs throughout the summer months.
Established in 2018 in partnership with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, the NSW Police Force will again strive to beat their previous record in donations and commitment to supporting the community and NSW hospitals.
Each week, at least 31,000 donations are needed nationwide to meet demand as hospitals manage presentations in areas such as emergency, obstetrics, and surgery.
Deputy Commissioner Metropolitan Field Operations, Mal Lanyon, who will be rolling up his sleeves along with police officers across the Sydney Metropolitan area to help the drive, highlighted the significance of blood drives as the summer holiday period approaches.
"Our roads are going to become busier as people take advantage of the holiday travelling across NSW and, unfortunately, police know all too well how important blood donations are for people who have been injured as a result of crime, crashes or accidents," Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.
"Helping save lives is part of an officer's job and the Bleed4Blue campaign reinforces how strong the policing family is when it comes together to support each other and the entire community."
During the three-month campaign, the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command will be conducting a week-long campaign from Monday 12 December 2022, which includes a major team donation day on Wednesday 14 December 2022.
"We are told the demand for blood is among the highest it's been in the past 10 years and, if we can come together to donate life-saving blood products, we can help to save many more lives.
"We would encourage anyone that has the ability to donate blood or plasma to think about making a donation over summer.
"Even just one blood donation can save up to three people's lives," Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.
Since its inception, the Bleed4Blue campaign has generated more than 8600 blood donations and helped save at least 25,000 lives.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's Steven Eldridge said while the organisation was thrilled with the response to Lifeblood's recent appeal, the need for blood is ongoing.
"Historically, we see a drop in the number of people donating over long weekends or public holidays, and donations are needed every day this December," Mr Eldridge said.
"Bleed 4 Blue is one of the nation's largest blood drives, and we are fortunate to have the support of NSW Police to help boost blood supplies.
"The patients this challenge supports includes people undergoing treatment for cancer, newborns, those undergoing emergency surgery, those involved in road accidents and so many more."
The 'Bleed4Blue' campaign runs from today until the end of February 2023 and will again challenge police from across Australia 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.
AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICE INFORMATION
• Blood is commonly used: a blood donation is needed every 24 seconds in Australia, and one in three of us will need donated blood as some point in our lives
• The Blood Service is looking for 2000 new donors in NSW, and 7000 nationally
• O-Negative is always in high demand – it is the universal type given to patients in emergency situations.
• As is plasma, a type of blood donation needed by thousands of Australians battling trauma, chronic illness, burns and infectious diseases.
• With one in three of us needing donated blood in our lifetime, the life you help save could even be that of a loved one or colleague
Blood donation basics
• One in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime
• One blood donation can save up to three lives
• Nine million Australians are eligible to give blood but only 500,000 actively do so
• Australia needs almost 31,000 donations every week to meet demand
• Giving blood takes only one hour of your time and it can save up to three lives
• There is no substitute for blood, and we need blood of every type, every day to save the lives of thousands of Australians
• The Blood Service needs to collect more than 1.3 million donations every year to meet patient demand
• If you are aged between 16-70 years and are feeling well you may be eligible to donate blood
• Please call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au to make an appointment
Blood is surprisingly versatile and the blood you donate can be made into 22 different medical treatments. Donated blood is used for:
• 34% goes to people with cancer and blood diseases
• 19% other causes of anaemia
• 18% goes to surgical patients, including open heart and burns
• 13% other medical problems, including heart stomach and kidney disease
• 10% orthopaedic patients, including fractures and joint replacements
• 4% goes to pregnant women, new mothers and young children
• 2% goes to trauma patients, including road accidents
DID YOU KNOW?
• Donated blood has a shelf-life of five-days, making it a serious challenge to meet medical demand for accidents and other trauma during the Christmas and New Year holiday period
• You can help relieve the pressure – and save someone in need – by donating anytime, but especially during the upcoming holiday period
• Donor centres are open every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
