Saving lives is in St John WA’s blood

• Lifeblood has launched its annual Emergency Services Blood Drive, in which emergency services agencies compete nationally and at state level to give the most blood donations. 

• St John WA has topped the Drive’s donation tally in Western Australia for seven years running. 

• As demand for blood continues to increase at record levels, Lifeblood hopes the WA community will follow the emergency services’ lead and book a donation.  

With the sheer number of paramedics, police and firefighters present at Lifeblood’s Perth Donor Centre this morning, you could be forgiven for thinking there was an emergency unfolding. 

However, all those attending were there supporting a different cause – the launch of Lifeblood’s annual Emergency Services Blood Drive. 

St John WA Group CEO, Kevin Brown, and Chief Preventative Officer, Megan O’Donnell, both blood donors, along with other regular donors and their supporters from across the organisation attended the event to represent St John WA, which has topped the donation tally in the Blood Drive in Western Australia for seven years running. 

“It’s pretty phenomenal, the great team in green. Seven years we’ve won this – and we fully intend to make it eight. Our colleagues from DFES and WA Police may need to up their game a bit,” said Kevin.  

“Let’s keep up the healthy competition, let’s donate more and help our colleagues at Lifeblood who urgently need donations to save lives.” 

The Drive sees the major emergency services agencies compete against each other nationally and at a state level in blood, plasma and platelet donations. 

It also serves to increase awareness and encourage donation during winter – traditionally a season of increased demand. 

“I know it’s getting a bit wintery and wet and cold out there but come on, we’re waterproof. Let’s get out and save up to three lives with each donation,” said Kevin. 

As demand for blood and plasma continues to increase at record levels, Lifeblood Area Manager, Janlee Hyatt, hopes the WA community will follow the lead of their inspiring emergency services and book a donation.  

“Every day, we issue close to 10,000 blood products and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand, and we would love to see more people in WA support our emergency services and join our movement of donors,” Janlee said. 

“We rely on the generosity of donors to help people undergoing cancer treatment, living with blood disorders, women giving birth, or people who’ve been involved in accidents.” 

A blood appointment takes about an hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes, and blood can be donated every three months. 

 A plasma appointment takes about an hour and a half, with 40 minutes in the donor chair, and donations of plasma can be made every fortnight.    

“If you’re feeling healthy and well, and meet our eligibility criteria, we would love to see you,” said Janlee. 

“An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life.” 

To make a donation, call 13 14 95, book online or download the DonateBlood App.