Nambour hospital staff are rolling up their sleeves to make vital donations to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Lifeblood is calling on eligible Australians to become blood donors and for existing donors to honour their appointments, especially ahead of the traditionally challenging winter period.

Jan English, Clinical Nurse Consultant for Transfusion and Blood Management said it’s important to remember blood and plasma donations remain vital.

“Donating blood and plasma is essential to keep blood flowing to patients across the country,” Ms English said.

“Coronavirus does not stop the need for blood and plasma. It is a critical resource and demand for blood is constant and will continue to be

SCHHS Physiotherapist Nicholas Brooke answered the call, donating blood for the first time.

“I have always been meaning to start giving blood, but never got around to organising a donation,” Nicholas said. 

“My wife gives blood regularly, and one day my six-year-old daughter asked me why ‘I wasn’t giving blood like mum?’ I didn’t have an answer, so we all got into the car and went to the Blood Donor Centre and I donated that day.

“I downloaded the blood donor app in the waiting room and booked in for my next donation before leaving the clinic.

“I’m not a massive fan of needles but everyone in the donor centre was fantastic. It was much better than I expected, and my daughter thought I was pretty brave. Also, there are lots of goodies to munch on afterwards as well which helps!

“I would encourage anyone thinking about donating to go ahead and do it, I only wish I had started it a lot sooner.”

Lifeblood Donor Centres are safe places to visit and have strict sanitation protocols in place. To book an appointment to donate blood visit www.donateblood.com.au or phone 13 14 95.