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Take a little time out to give the best gift of all

Nicole SalmeriSouth Western Times
Blood donor centre manager Sue McKenzie, enrolled nurse Michelle Airkin, blood donator Brooke Cochrane, registered nurse Meg Trigg and donor services nurses assistant Katrina MacKay.
Camera IconBlood donor centre manager Sue McKenzie, enrolled nurse Michelle Airkin, blood donator Brooke Cochrane, registered nurse Meg Trigg and donor services nurses assistant Katrina MacKay. Credit: Nicole Salmeri

Tis the season for giving ... and the ladies at the Bunbury Red Cross Donor Centre are encouraging everyone to donate blood this festive season.

Regular blood donor Brooke Cochrane said this was the 38th time she had donated blood in three years.

“It was something I always thought about doing but never got around to,” she said.

“Then one of my family got quite sick and if it wasn’t for the fact that people donated, they wouldn’t be here today. It was a real motivator to actually get in and start donating and give back because without people who donate blood, I wouldn’t have my mum.”

Miss Cochrane said the process of donating blood was easier than she thought.

“It’s only an hour out of your day and the ladies here are great, they look after you and you can have a snack afterwards,” she said.

“A lot of people go away for holidays and we all know it can be a crazy time of year with work and catching up with family and friends, so it is great to see so many people here today.”

Donor Centre manager Sue McKenize said the process did not take long and you cannot put a price on how valuable donating blood is.

“It is very important because everyone gets very busy and think they don’t have time to come in but in actual fact, for our patients in WA hospitals there are no public holidays, they don’t go away and their need for blood and blood products never stops, so that’s what we need to think about,” she said.

“It is very easy, we do like people to have an appointment but if they can’t they can come in as long as they make sure they are well hydrated and have had a meal before they donate.

“Thirty five per cent of our products go to people who are having cancer treatments, there is also a lot going to people who have bleeding disorders, they are the two biggest areas.

“The need is ongoing.

“Only one in 30 people in Australia donate but one in three people will actually need a blood product.”

Opening hours are mornings, evenings and Saturday mornings to fit in with work hours and Christmas shopping.

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