Members of the NSW Police Force have rolled up their sleeves to donate blood as part of the third annual Bleed4Blue blood drive which began last week (1 December).
Police Force Commissioner Michael Fuller launched the three-month law enforcement-focused blood drive at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Town Hall Donor Centre in Sydney.
Commissioner Fuller said the campaign was run throughout the summer months and was established following the stabbing of Detective Sergeant John Breda on Australia Day 2018.
“Det Sgt John Breda lost almost 12 litres of blood as the medical team worked to save his life after he was stabbed during a police operation at Maroubra,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“It took more than 100 bags of blood to keep him alive, including 48 bags in one six-hour surgery,” he said.
Commissioner Fuller said Det Sgt Breda’s fight for life emphasised, particularly within the NSW Police Force, the importance of regularly donating blood.
“It is the nature of our work that we frequently attend situations where people need blood, but that day really brought it home to our police family just how vital blood supply is,” he said.
“One of our own survived due to the generosity of those who donated, and Bleed4Blue is our chance to show our appreciation and ensure blood supplies are there for someone else’s loved one.”
He said that during last year’s blood drive NSW Police, along with law enforcement colleagues from across the country, donated about 4,600 litres of blood, which helped save 12,000 lives.
“We hope that with help of the community even more people will benefit from this year’s Bleed4Blue, so if you are in a position to give blood or plasma, please donate too,” Commissioner Fuller said.
He said the campaign would run until the end of February and challenged police from across Australia to take part to see which State or Territory could donate the most blood.
