Frontline emergency staff are going the extra mile to save lives this winter, rolling up their sleeves to donate blood and plasma as part of the 2024 Emergency Services Blood Drive.

The Lifeblood Emergency Services Blood Drive has been sparking friendly competition between emergency service teams since 2012, with almost 115,000 donations collected since it began.

This year’s challenge has so far seen 2,606 donations of blood and plasma from NSW emergency service teams to provide life-saving treatment to people around the country, helping save up to 7,818 lives.

In Lismore and the Northern Rivers, the Emergency Services Blood Drive Tally is 140 over the last eight (8) weeks led by the Rural Fire Service with 39 donations closely followed by members of Fire and Rescue and NSW Ambulance.

The Emergency Services Blood Drive runs until 31 August and anyone can take part by picking an emergency services team to join when you make your booking. 

To make a booking, visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “Our paramedics, firefighters and police serve and care for the community every single day and see firsthand our ongoing need for blood to save lives.

“Blood donations help patients across the state in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment and pregnancy.

“One in three Australians will require blood or blood products in their lifetime but only one in 30 donate, making drives such as this to help boost supplies across the country even more important.”

Lifeblood CEO, Stephen Cornelissen said, “Our emergency services personnel know all too well about our ongoing need for blood, being first on the scene at road accidents and other trauma-related incidents.

“Their life-saving efforts don’t stop there. All throughout the year, and especially during the Emergency Services Blood Drive each winter, their generosity continues when they roll up their sleeves and donate their own blood that can be used for numerous life-threatening conditions, including cancer, trauma and during life-saving surgery.

“With demand for blood, plasma and blood products increasing, Lifeblood is so grateful to all the teams who join this critical and generous blood donor community.”