With the demand for blood at an all-time high, members of the NSW Police Force are uniting with friends and family to launch the Force’s fifth annual blood drive.
Deputy Police Commissioner of Metropolitan Field Operations, Mal Lanyon said the three-month ‘Bleed4Blue’ campaign, established in 2018 in partnership with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, would see law enforcement officers roll up their sleaves to try and beat their previous blood donations record.
“Each week, at least 31,000 donations are needed nationwide to meet demand as hospitals manage presentations in areas such as emergency, obstetrics, and surgery,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.
“Our roads are going to become busier as people take advantage of the holiday travelling across NSW and, unfortunately, police know all too well how important blood donations are for people who have been injured as a result of crime, crashes or accidents,” he said.
“Helping save lives is part of an officer’s job and the Bleed4Blue campaign reinforces how strong the policing family is when it comes together to support each other and the entire community.”
The Deputy Commissioner said the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command would be conducting their own week-long campaign during the blood drive from Monday (12 December), including a major team donation day on Wednesday (14 December).
He encouraged anyone with the ability to donate blood or plasma to think about making a donation over summer.
“We are told the demand for blood is among the highest it’s been in the past 10 years and, if we can come together to donate life-saving blood products, we can help to save many more lives,” the Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.
“Even just one blood donation can save up to three people’s lives,” he said.
Further information on donating blood can be accessed at this PS News link.
