FORSTER’S Vicki Megson’s reason for donating blood for the first time is simple.
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“You help someone,” she said.
“You can help three people, with just your donation.
“I think everyone should do that – it’s the way to go.”
Previously Vicki thought she couldn’t give blood due to having haemochromatosis, a disorder in which iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years.
But Vicki said, “I recently found out my condition was a much more minor case, and now I can give blood”.
Vicki is adding to the number of donors at Taree Blood Donor Centre for October, however due to the cold and flu blood donation stump many more are needed.
The centre needs nearly 50 new donors to help bolster blood stocks due to this seasonal drop-off in numbers.
This help this, the Australian Red Cross, have launched the ‘Hunt for Red in October’ campaign to highlight the need for new donors this month.
Blood Service spokesperson Felix Palmer said one in three people would need blood in their lifetime yet only one in 30 donated, making October’s hunt for red a serious matter.
“We’re appealing to donors who might not have been able to give in winter to come back and start giving blood again,” he said.
“We’d also like to extend the invitation to anyone else who is thinking about giving blood.
“It only takes an hour to do and you can save three lives with every donation.
“More importantly, you’ll be saving the lives on cancer patients, road trauma victims, pregnant mothers, unborn babies and people undergoing emergency surgeries.”
To make an appointment call 13 14 95.