Tarneit locals give blood to help save lives

In partnership with Wyndham City Council, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood held a pop-up donation centre at the newly opened Dianella Community Centre in Tarneit.

Open for one week, the centre received donations from Monday 10 January until Friday 14 January. Locals attended and made lifesaving donations to help increase Lifeblood’s supply in a time when donation numbers are dwindling.

One in three Australians will need blood or a blood product in their lifetime, but only one in 30 currently donates. Donations help save the lives of people in hospitals needing surgery, cancer treatments or surviving complicated births.

Blood donations often drop off toward the end of the year, and right now donations are especially needed as record numbers of people are unwell or in isolation due to COVID.

Wyndham City Mayor Cr Peter Maynard said: “Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has been calling for donations throughout the pandemic, and I’m proud that our residents are rolling up their sleeves and doing their bit to save lives.”

“I’m also pleased that many Wyndham City Council staff are active donors who regularly give blood. We work to create a culture of generosity at Wyndham, and I’m proud many of our staff are thinking of others and giving back.”

The Tarneit pop-up donor centre was located at Dianella Community Centre, 6 Congo Drive, Tarneit West. Lifeblood will return to Tarneit again on 11 to 15 April, 11 to 15 July and 10 to 14 October.

Residents can still book in to make donations at the Lifeblood Werribee Donor Centre at 7 Bridge St, Werribee. To book in to donate, visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.