Cat’s mission close to heart

GEELONG 2011 premiership player Tom Lonergan has announced one of his first postfootball roles will be as an ambassador for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

It’s a cause close to the heart of the recently retired defender who almost had his career, and his life, cut short when he lost one of his kidneys due to an on-field incident in just his seventh AFL match in 2006.

After a remarkable recovery and a successful career, he is using his new role in the community to recruit 150 locals to give blood during the festive season.

“People just aren’t thinking about blood donation this time of year — everyone’s focused on family gatherings or holidays, eating too much, and even watching the cricket,” he said.

Lonergan, whose surgery exhausted Geelong’s blood supply of his type, is excited by the prospect of helping others in similar precarious positions to the one he was in eleven years ago.

“I never really thought too much about giving blood prior to the accident,” he said.

“If those generous blood donors hadn’t taken the time to donate I simply wouldn’t be here — I wouldn’t have played in the premiership, been married or even become a dad.”

Communications advisor of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Erin Lagoudakis, is very excited to have Tom on board.

“It’s something that he’s very passionate about. He actually approached us,” she said.

“The reality is that the need for blood never takes a break.

“We’re hoping that the community will respond to him and his story and sign up to save lives this Christmas.”

The Geelong Blood Donor Centre is hoping to amalgamate 150 blood donors between December 24 and January 3 — a period of the year which can be scarce for the industry.

“People in hospital still need blood. It could be cancer patients who don’t get a break from their treatment, people in car accidents, or even new mums experiencing complications during child birth,” Lonergan said.

“The Blood Service can’t stockpile blood ahead of the holidays, so people need to donate in between Christmas and New Year to make sure blood is there for those who need it.

“It’s a gift money can’t buy because it allows people to spend time with those they love most.”

The Geelong Blood Donor Centre is open each day between December 24 and January 3, except Christmas Day, December 30, and New Year’s Day. To make an appointment, phone 13 14 95.