By XAVIER SMERDON
MORE than 600 blood donors are needed in Werribee this Christmas and New Year, inspiring the men and women in blue to give up some red.
Senior Sergeant Peter Nichols organised 12 of his bravest officers to take one for the team and donate some blood last Thursday.
“Given the time of year where more people are on the roads and the blood bank is always looking for new people to donate, we just thought it would be a good message for everyone,” Sen Sgt Nichols said.
“As police we see the real side of road trauma so that’s why we wanted to help.”
Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokesperson, Shaun Inguanzo, said the Christmas break was one of the most important times for people to roll up their sleeves and give blood, especially since platelets that are vital for cancer patients only have a shelf life of five days.
“This means that anything collected on the Friday before the Christmas long weekend will either expire or be depleted by Boxing Day,” Mr Inguanzo said.
“We know Christmas is an important time for Werribee residents to spend with family and friends, but spare a thought for the many Australians who have a loved one in hospital and in need of blood, with the hope of spending another Christmas together.”
Sen Sgt Nichols said over the next seven weeks four major road safety operations would be enforced across Victoria and Wyndham.
“Wyndham has been identified as one of the top 15 areas in Victoria for alcohol and drug related road trauma,” he said.
“Wyndham is going to be a thoroughfare for people travelling to the surf coast so we want to get the road safety message out there.”
For more information on donating blood call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au
