Residents of Melton have been rolling up their sleeves to provide life-saving support this week.
On Monday August 5, a pop up blood donor centre was set up at Melton Community Hall to save locals having to travel to the nearest Lifeblood centre in Airport West.
It will be in Melton until Friday August 16, and is set to make a return in November.
One blood donation can save up to three lives but is needed every 18 seconds or 33,000 times a week.
Lifeblood spokesperson Emily Granland congratulated those who had already donated and urged more locals to get involved.
“The need for blood does not stop, so we’d like to thank our local donors in Melton for rolling up a sleeve to donate blood and encourage others in the community to follow their lead. Every donation can make a life-changing difference to patients in need,” she said.
Ms Granland said the donations would go to those who needed it the most and was often used in dire situations.
“Blood is used to treat people with cancer and blood disorders, women giving birth and patients in surgery. In the event of a serious trauma event or emergency, up to 100 blood donations may be needed to save just one life.”
Melton is also home to Australia’s top active donor, Paul Jenkins.
“He has reached an incredible 880 blood and plasma donations. While that figure is not possible for everyone, the good news is every single donation counts,” said Ms Granland.
There are more than 160 appointments left for the final three days of the pop up centre from August 13 to 16.
Bookings: my.donateblood.com.au/app/appointments/donationtype
Eddie Russell
