We're not afraid of a little blood

3 Aug 2018

Red25 is a program uniting workplaces across Australia to save lives through blood donation and the results show that a little healthy competition goes a long way. 

St John of God Health Care Transfusion Nurse Lisa Stevenson said over the twelve week period personnel from health services organisations across the country gave a total of 5,955 donations, saving up to 17,865 lives.

“Of these, St John of God Health Care caregivers made 110 donations, saving up to 330 lives," Lisa said.

“That places us fourth in Victoria and tenth overall, which is a fantastic effort by everyone involved.

“On behalf of Australian patients, thank you.”

Another initiative launched by the Red Cross Blood Service recently was the brainchild of St John of God Geelong Hospital Obstetrician Dr Marilla Druitt called She gives birth, you give blood.

Pregnant women, new mothers and young children receive four per cent of all blood donations in Australia.

That’s double the amount needed by road trauma victims.

She gives birth, you give blood is an education program aimed at increasing awareness of the need for donated blood in many instances of pregnancy and childbirth by either mother, baby or both.

It encourages partners to show their support by giving regular blood donations.