GREATER Taree City Council general manager Ron Posselt heeded the recent appeal of Taree Donor Centre for more people to give blood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last week he rolled up his sleeve to give blood and support a 'Secret Santa' campaign that has Taree Donor Centre calling for 100 donors to make an appointment to give blood between Christmas Eve and Sunday, January 4.
Blood service spokesperson Greg French said more than 100 Taree blood donors are needed for Australia's most critical Secret Santa exchange this Christmas, in order to prevent a shortage of blood stocks vital to the treatment of cancer patients.
"If Secret Santa is the anonymous giving of gifts designed to make people's day, then blood donation must surely be Australia's ultimate Secret Santa exchange," he said.
"Blood will be needed every day this month by road trauma patients, pregnant mums, cancer patients and premature babies.
"With so many people likely to be away on holidays, we need others to step forward and be an Australian patient's Secret Santa to ensure no-one misses out on receiving that special gift."
Mr French said stocks of platelets, a blood component vital to the treatment of cancer patients, were particularly at risk during this period as they only last for five days and so donors are constantly needed.
"Your donation will be one of 27,000 blood gifts given to Australian patients this Christmas - and will have a far reaching impact on the lives you save, and the lives of their loved ones.
"So this Christmas we're urging residents from the Manning Valley to take part in the Australia's lifesaving Secret Santa exchange by making an appointment to give blood between December 17 and January 16."
The Taree Donor Centre opening hours are:
Monday and Tuesday - 12.00pm - 7.15pm; Wednesday - 8.15am - 1.15pm; Thursday and Friday - 8am - 1.45pm; Saturday January 3 - 8.15am - 11.45am.
To make an appointment to give blood, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au