Council rolling up its sleeves
City second in big blood challenge
TOOWOOMBA Regional Council is going head-to-head with the City of Gold Coast Council to see who can donate the most blood and save lives.
This year’s national Councils Blood Challenge kicked off on July 1 and involves 226 local councils in Australia. Eight weeks into the 12-week challenge, Toowoomba Regional Council team members have given 60 donations, placing them second in Queensland and fifth nationally.
Leading the donation tally in the Sunshine State is the City of Gold Coast Council with 100 donations.
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio and Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan are lending an arm to this year’s challenge, by rolling up their sleeves and giving blood at Toowoomba Blood Donor Centre.
“Every blood donation our team members can give will help save three lives and all it takes is an hour of your time,” Cr Antonio said.
“The council is very supportive of this important initiative and so we’re encouraging our team members who are able to donate, to rise to the challenge and save lives together.
“With one in three people needing blood in their lifetime, you never know when it might be a family member, a neighbour or someone from your local community.
“The council is also hoping that by bleeding by example, we can encourage other local organisations and their staff to follow our lead and roll up their sleeves too.”
Blood Service spokeswoman Sandee Thompson said new blood donors were needed in Toowoomba.
“Toowoomba Blood Donor Centre needs to collect 450 whole blood and 250 plasma donations every week, to ensure our community contributes to the national supply of blood and blood products for patients in need,” Mrs Thompson said.
“Toowoomba Regional Council is one of our top 10 local businesses contributing to Red25, the Blood Service’s group donation program, and we certainly encourage other local business, sporting and community groups to join too.”
To find out more visit donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.