On the eve of World Blood Donor Day (June 14), Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt has thanked locals who donate blood each year.
Designated as an annual event by the United Nations World Health Assembly in 2005, World Blood Donor Day celebrates the millions of people worldwide who selflessly donate the gift of blood.
2009 is the Year of the Blood Donor in Australia and marks the 80th anniversary of blood collection services in our nation. Australia is also the host country for World Blood Donor Day this year.
“The locals in our community who give blood are quiet, good Samaritans helping to save the lives of other Queenslanders,” Mr Pitt said.
“It takes someone special to give part of themselves to save another.
“In Queensland some 100,000 donors give whole blood twice a year on average, while another 12,000 donate plasma and about 5,000 provide platelets.”
As the host country Australia has selected a theme for this annual event – ‘it takes all types’.
Mr Pitt said this theme is about raising awareness that almost anyone can donate blood, all blood type are needed, and all types of donation are appreciated – whole blood, plasma and platelets.
“I encourage locals to think about donating blood if they have never donated before or it has been a long time since they last donated,” Mr Pitt said.
“Whole blood donations can be given every 12 weeks.”
Collection centres are located in Innisfail and Cairns, phone 13 14 95 to book a donation time.
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