Mayor's call-out for more Launceston blood donors
Published on 29 August 2023
City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood has put a call out to Launceston residents to donate blood.
Over the course of their life, one in three Australians will rely on a blood or plasma donation.
Despite boasting almost 2000 regular donors, Launceston lags behind other comparable population centres in Tasmania, which has prompted City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood to call for more residents to roll up their sleeve and donate blood.
In Australia, a single blood donation is required every 18 seconds to help patients in need, including those being treated for cancer, immune conditions, stomach and kidney diseases road accidents and other traumas.
"Launceston residents have always had a reputation as being particularly giving and benevolent when it comes to helping those in need, and I can think of no greater gift than a life changing – and possibly life-saving - blood donation," Mayor Garwood said.
Launceston’s Lifeblood centre has plenty of capacity to accept regular and new donors, with around 1750 appointments available every month for people to donate. Along with my fellow Launceston Councillors, I encourage as many people in our community as possible to make an appointment here at the donor centre to make a donation."
Council staff have also recently pledged their support to the cause, signing up for Lifeblood’s Local Government Blood Drive.
This national initiative sees councils from across the country go head-to-head over a three-month period from July through to the end of September.
Currently, the City of Launceston team sits atop the Tasmanian donation leader-board, and an incredible 13th on the national table in what Mayor Garwood described as an amazing achievement.
"Last year, the City of Launceston team did an outstanding job claiming two categories in the Local Government Blood Challenge - recording the most donations and most new donors," Mayor Garwood said.
"The team certainly did an amazing job living our Council's value of we care about our community, and by donating blood they are certainly helping to make a life-changing difference to people in need in our municipality."
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood spokesperson Leanne Mangano said Launceston locals can help boost the numbers by joining the City of Launceston team in the Local Government Blood Drive.
“Whether you work for the council, volunteer for it, or simply live within the local government area, it is a wonderful way to rally together as a community,” Leanne said. “Don’t rule yourself out. Every donation can make a difference.”
Would-be donors need to be over the age of 18, weigh more than 50kg and be feeling healthy. There is a short online quiz to check your eligibility on Lifeblood’s website.
To book a donation either as a group or individual, visit call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood app.