Acting Premier Rob Hulls today urged more Victorians to donate blood and plasma to help save lives as he opened a new state-of-the-art blood donation centre at Airport West.
In an event to mark National Blood Donor Week, Mr Hulls said the new permanent donor centre in Airport West would be convenient for blood donors in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
“The new Airport West Blood Donor Centre will provide donors with the highest standards in medical technology and the latest donation facilities,” Mr Hulls said. "The new Airport West Blood Donor Centre will provide donors with the highest standards in medical technology."
“It has been designed so that donors can donate in a comfortable and pleasant environment.
“It will also offer donors the opportunity to donate plasma in the area for the first time, an exciting move forward for blood donation in the region. Previously, donors had to travel to Southbank or Bourke Street to donate plasma.”
Mr Hulls said the need for blood and blood products was predicted to more than double over the next decade.
“In Victoria, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service aims to collect more than 331,510 donations this year – or more than 6000 donations a week – to meet the needs of our hospitals,” he said.
“I encourage all healthy and eligible Victorians to give blood.
“One in three Australians will need blood at some stage during their lifetime – but only one in 30 give it.”
Mr Hulls said the Australian Red Cross Blood Service was expanding its services throughout Australia and across Victoria to ensure enough blood was collected for Australia’s hospitals.
“The Brumby Government recognises the Red Cross Blood Service as a critical part of our health system,” he said.
“It provides blood to more than 200 Victorian hospitals and collects almost 5000 donations of blood each week in Victoria.
“Currently, 53 per cent of donated blood helps cancer patients and people with other causes of anaemia, 18 per cent is used for surgery, 14 per cent goes to people with stomach and bowel disease, nine per cent to orthopaedic patients, four per cent for obstetrics and babies, and two per cent for trauma and accident victims.
“The Airport West centre will form a vital part of the Blood Service’s ability to meet its growing collection targets. Open five days a week, the centre will provide greater opportunities for people in the area to donate more often.”
The centre is located at 93-95 Matthews Avenue, Airport West. To make an appointment or to give blood call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au