Find the courage to give

HE may be playing a cowardly lion in the touring production of The Wizard of Oz, but TV, radio and theatre personality John X has courageously lent a paw to donate blood.

X and fellow actor Jeff Keogh, who will play Aslan the lion from Narnia in the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society’s 2018 production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, headed along to the Hobart Donor Centre this week.

Tasmanians are being asked to roll up their sleeves and donate blood to help cancer and trauma patients over the Easter long weekend.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service says more than 100 blood donors are needed at the Hobart Donor Centre to prevent a seasonal shortage of regular donors.

“Over the Easter long weekend — and even in the days leading up to and after the break, we expect many of our regular donors will be taking a well-earned break — possibly heading away on holiday with family and friends,” Blood Service spokeswoman Ann Harvey said. “Unfortunately the need for blood does not take a break over Easter.

“Australian patients suffering critical bleeding from road trauma and child birth, and blood disorder and cancer patients, are all expecting blood to be there when they need it,” she said.

Donations also provide vital supplies of platelets, the clotting agents in blood that are used to treat cancer patients and stop bleeding in people who have been in road accidents.

The Hobart Donor Centre is closed tomorrow and Easter Sunday, but is open Saturday from 7.30am-3pm, Monday from 7.30am-3pm and Tuesday from 7.30am-7.30pm.

For information, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au