The NSW Police Force is encouraging the community to help save lives by donating blood this holiday season, as officers continue to take part in the Bleed4Blue campaign.
Bleed4Blue – an annual, three-month law enforcement-focused blood drive in partnership with Red Cross Lifeblood – launched following the stabbing of an officer in Maroubra on Australia Day in 2018.
Now in its sixth year, officers continue to roll up their sleeves at Lifeblood Donor Centres across the state, along with their family and friends, to donate lifesaving blood products.
Each week, at least 33,000 donations are needed nationwide to meet demand as hospitals manage the increased presentations in areas such as emergency, obstetrics, and surgery.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon joined officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command at the Lifeblood Penrith Donor Centre earlier today (Tuesday 19 December 2023), where they made a major team donation to help address Lifeblood’s urgent call for donations.
“Donating blood is our way of serving the community in another vital way and we would encourage other members of the public to do it also,” said Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
“As police officers, we often witness the life-saving difference that donated blood can make; we are approaching the busiest time of year on NSW roads and, sadly, road trauma puts a further strain on our hospitals.
“I’m extremely proud to see so many officers rolling up their sleeves to donate this year, and with the help of the community, hopefully even more people will benefit from this year’s Bleed4Blue campaign.
“So, if you are in a position to give blood or plasma, please donate too, because even just one blood donation can save up to three people’s lives,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said”
The Bleed4Blue campaign has generated more than 25,000 blood donations and helped save at least 75,000 lives.
Lifeblood spokesperson Steve Eldridge thanked police for helping boost the nation’s blood supplies at such a critical time, and said it was vital the community followed the lead of police in donating blood this December to prevent a shortage of donations this Christmas.
“We’re urging people to make donating blood or plasma a priority this Christmas and New Year, and we urgently need people to donate between now and December 31,” Mr Eldridge said.
“This is always a challenging time of year for blood supplies because the need for blood is ongoing, but many existing donors are travelling, or people’s routines are disrupted so blood donation isn’t front of mind,”
“It has been a year of unprecedented demand across New South Wales, with 80 per cent of blood products being delivered to major city hospitals where most of the country’s most critical patients receive urgent care.”
“Trying to find the perfect gift within a budget will be stressful for many this festive season. Giving blood and plasma doesn’t cost anything, but for a patient it will be life-changing. For some, it might mean spending another Christmas with family and friends. For others, it will be the key to a fuller life.”
The ‘Bleed4Blue’ campaign runs until the end of February 2024 and again challenges police officers nationwide to take part, to see which state or territory can donate the most blood.
For more information on donating visit https://www.donateblood.com.au/bleed-4-blue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
