General News
9 April, 2025
Horsham donors step up
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood mobile donor unit collected 258 blood donations during its two-week visit to Horsham.
Each donation has the power to save up to three lives, and thanks to the Horsham community’s generosity, it could save 774 lives.
Lifeblood uses 34 percent of donated blood to treat patients with cancer and blood diseases, 19 percent for those with anaemia and other conditions, and 18 percent for heart, organ, and other non-orthopaedic surgeries.
The remaining donations support patients with stomach, kidney, and other diseases (13 percent), fractures and joint replacements (10 percent), pregnant women, mothers, and young children (4 percent), and victims of road incidents and other traumas (2 percent).
Lifeblood Ballarat donor centre manager Debbie Bach highlighted the consistent support Horsham provides.
“We have been visiting Horsham every three months for at least 10 years,” she said.
“The Lifeblood team loves coming to Horsham, and our visits are always well supported by the Horsham community and the surrounding communities, who travel to Horsham to donate.”
Blood donors can donate every 12 weeks, and Horsham continues to show up every quarter to meet the need.
Among the dedicated donors was Stawell resident Graham Russell, who donated blood for the 135th time.
“I feel fine when I do it because someone somewhere might need blood for cancer or a car accident or something of that nature,” he said.
He first donated blood at 17, when people received payment to donate.
“Back then we used to get paid to donate blood, so it was a way of getting out of work,” he recalled.
Mr Russell has continued ever since, donating over a dozen times in Horsham while travelling from Stawell.
“There might be some kid with cancer or someone who has had a bad accident, or women who have babies sometimes need blood transfusions,” he said.
“It’s something I love to do.”
“If you have the time and are willing to donate blood, you can help someone by doing it,” Mr Russell said encouraging others.
The lifeblood mobile donor unit will be back in Horsham to collect donations on July 14 for another two weeks.
Lifeblood urges new and returning donors to book through the Donate Blood App or by calling 131 495.
