Frontline heroes bolster winter blood supplies
Emergency services across New South Wales are again joining forces this winter to help strengthen blood and plasma supplies, as the annual Emergency Services Blood Drive launches today in Sydney.
Minister for Police Yasmin Catley will officially launch the 2025 drive at the Lifeblood Town Hall Donor Centre, where she will be joined by representatives from NSW’s fire, police, ambulance, SES and other emergency agencies.
The campaign – which runs from 1 June to 31 August - has been a vital part of Lifeblood’s donor efforts for over a decade and calls on frontline workers and the community to roll up their sleeves at a time when donations traditionally dip, but demand remains high.
One in three Australians will require blood or blood products in their lifetime but only one in 30 donate.
You don’t have to wear a uniform to save lives. We would love to see more people across Australia support our Emergency Services Blood Drive and join our movement of donors.
A blood donation only takes an hour of your time, and each blood donation saves up to three lives. It can take up to 100 bags of blood to save a life in an emergency situation.
In 2024, emergency service organisations across Australia made 14,410 blood donations, including 3,939 from New South Wales.
These donations helped save over 40,000 lives – supporting patients with cancer, trauma, burns and those undergoing major surgery.
If you’re feeling healthy and meet the eligibility criteria, now is the time to donate.
For more information or to book an appointment, call 13 14 95 or visit the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood web page.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“Every donation has the power to save up to three lives — and there’s no group more familiar with that reality than our paramedics.
“Our paramedics see first-hand the difference blood donation can make in an emergency. That’s why I’m encouraging them — and the wider community — to take part in this blood drive. Together, let’s set a new benchmark and show that when NSW is called to help, we deliver.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Yasmin Catley:
“Our emergency services personnel are always first to put their hands up when lives are on the line – both in uniform and at the donor chair.
“I’m incredibly proud of the NSW Police officers and other first responders who are rolling up their sleeves to donate. It’s just another way they protect and serve our communities.
“I encourage all eligible donors to join them. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it saves lives.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:
“Over the past two weeks our emergency services personnel have been focusing on assisting communities who were impacted by flooding and severe weather in northern NSW. Now, they’re turning their attention to helping people who need blood donations.
“Our emergency services personnel are always there for the community, and through some friendly rivalry between the agencies, we aim to strengthen the blood supply available across NSW and Australia for those who need it.
“On behalf of the community thank you all for everything you do for us.”
Quotes attributable to Steven Eldridge, Director of Donor Relations at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood:
“Every day, we issue close to 10,000 blood products and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand, and we would love to see more people in support our Emergency Services and join our movement of donors.
“We rely on the generosity of donors to help people undergoing cancer treatment, living with blood disorders, women giving birth, or people who’ve been involved in accidents.
“If you’re feeling healthy and well, and meet our eligibility criteria, we would love to see you.
“An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life.”