The Wide Bay Councils Blood Challenge has boosted much needed donations of whole blood and plasma for Lifeblood Australia.
The 12-month challenge between Bundaberg Regional Council and Fraser Coast Regional Council which began on 1 January 2023 has seen many Council staff roll up their sleeves to help others.
Since January the number of Bundaberg Regional Council Lifeblood champions grew to an additional 48 donors who, along with the Council’s existing donors, have so far this year helped to save 1,572 lives.
A recent onsite visit by Lifeblood Australia to Council’s Waste & Recycling department provided an opportunity for more members of the Bundaberg Regional Council team to take up the challenge and register as donors.
Coordinator Landfill Operations Kerry Dalton said having friends and family who required blood donations in the past showed her the difference this had made to their lives.
“I have been donating on and off for quite a few years now,” Kerry said.
“I don’t like needles but I’m never nervous when I go in to donate.
“The staff at the donor centre make it a really enjoyable experience so you feel quite at ease.
“Donating is something little that we can do that doesn’t cost us anything but it can make a world of difference to someone else.”
Senior Environmental Technical Officer Monika Osborne said her motivation to sign up was Council’s initiative and to support the Lifeblood Challenge program.
“I have never done this before but had been thinking about it for quite some time,” she said.
“It was great that I could talk to Lifeblood Australia and get some information before signing up,” she said.
“Like going for any other new experience, when I went in to donate I had several questions but was more excited than worried.
“Afterwards I felt empowered and motivated to donate again.”
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