There are only two weeks left of the 2020 Emergency Services Blood Challenge and CFA is only a few donations away from winning this year’s challenge.
Secretary Daniel Farrall (left) and Firefighter Mark Lynch (right).
Victoria Police are only a number of donations ahead of CFA as we continue to fight for first place.
On Thursday 13 August ten members from Toomuc Fire Brigade attend the Pakenham pop-up blood donation centre at Pakenham Library on John Street.
Seven of the ten members were eligible to donate making a huge contribution to this year’s challenge.
The brigade pre booked their appointments and started donating from 5.15pm.
Toomuc Brigade Captain Andrew Ferrari
Brigade Captain Andrew Ferrari made a donation and said it was a great result on the night.
“Donating blood as a brigade was a great experience for me as we have now introduced members to something that they wouldn’t necessarily have done as an individual,” Andrew said.
“I would encourage all brigades to organise the same event as CFA is a big organisation so imagine what great results we could achieve for the blood bank if we all came together and donated in the same fashion we all come together to fight the major fires.”
Firefighter Jake Carrigg said he made his first ever donation.
“I gave blood for the first time and was proud to be part of our Toomuc CFA team. The staff at the donation centre were excellent and they took me through the process step by step.
“Knowing that I am helping people in need of blood to survive an illness or accident is something special,” Jake added. “After seeing two family members get seriously injured in a car accident I am well aware of how important donations are.”
Firefighter Jake Carrigg
First Lieutenant Blake Sokaluk said donating is something he can easily do to save a life.
“At the moment I am pretty healthy and lucky but there are other people out there who are not,” Blake said.
“If I can give up an hour of my time to attend a donation centre and lay down for six minutes while donating then I should,” Blake added. “It is much easier to be in the position to give the blood than in the position of needing to receive some blood.
“I couldn’t think of anything worse that being in a situation where myself or a loved one needed blood and there was none available for them.
“I hope that my donation can help reduce the stress for the people who are in that unfortunate position.”
Brigade Secretary and organiser Daniel Farrall said donating will become a regular occurrence for the brigade.
“We plan on making this a regular brigade event each time the Red Cross comes to Pakenham, the next one being in November where we plan to recruit even more members!”
