Make time in your diary for others this Christmas season with a blood donation Medowie, Ferodale, Campvale by NOTA - December 29, 2016 Libby Dingle donating her time to donate blood, assisted by nurses Kristina Cooper, Kerry Wood and Cynthia Bailey at the Mobile blood bank in Medowie this week. This Christmas, as the silly season hits and everyone is busy with family, friends and festive gatherings, the national average of blood donations will drop. Whilst it is understandable that people are busy, the Australian Red Cross blood service urges people to make some time for a donation, and help them get through a time when donations drop dramatically, but the need for blood rises. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE Kelli Bell, who lost her father to non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, told News Of The Area, “We were lucky to have three extra months with Dad as a direct result of blood transfusions he received from someone who knew the importance of donations, and we were able to take a family holiday together that meant so much to us before he passed.” “As a result of that extra time the blood transfusions gifted him, Dad was able to meet his fourth grandchild, and to receive the special news that he also had two more grandchildren on the way.” Every blood donation can save three lives, we have all heard that catch phrase, but it can also be the gift that so many people need just for that little extra time, or to aid their recovery from a less severe condition and enable them to live healthily again. There are three components to blood that can be used, whole blood, plasma and platelets. Thirty-four percent of blood donations are used for cancer and blood diseases, 19 percent for other causes of anaemia, 18 percent go to surgical patients, including open heart surgery and burns and 13 percent for other medical problems, including heart, stomach and kidney disease. Ten percent are for orthopaedic patients including fractures and joint replacements, four percent are for obstetrics including pregnant women, new mothers and young children, and two percent go to trauma, including road accidents. Over the Christmas period, you can book in to donate at The Australian Red Cross Blood Service Newcastle Donor Centre at 165 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow. Bookings can be made by calling 131495. Throughout 2017, you can also book in to donate at the mobile blood bank in Medowie on these dates: Monday 20 – Tuesday 21 March, Monday 19 – Tuesday 20 June, Monday 18 – Tuesday 19 September and Monday 18 – Tuesday 19 December. Make some time in your diary for someone you don’t know, who needs you. By Rachael VAUGHAN
