Will you be a Secret Santa blood donor?
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The Port Macquarie Donor Centre is seeking 250 Secret Santa donations to help prevent a shortage of blood stocks vital to the treatment of cancer patients this Christmas.
The centre particularly needs locals to make an appointment to give blood between Monday December 17 and Wednesday January 2.
Blood donors who give blood or platelets this December will receive a text message to let them know where their Secret Santa gift was sent and a festive tag to give to a loved one.
Regular blood donor Chris Whitehouse urged residents to consider giving whole blood or plasma at this critical time.
"I give plasma every fortnight but make a particular effort at this time of the year," he said.
"As a new dad, I would not like to see blood banks not having enough available stocks to help out a family during Christmas and the New Year.
"It is especially important to make a donation right now," he said.
Chris says he donates because "I can" and secondly to help other people in need of a blood transfusion.
Donating plasma takes about an hour while whole blood donations take even less time.
"The blood replenishes itself within that two weeks and you are fine to donate again," he said.
As long as I can donate I will continue to help those people out.
- Chris Whitehouse
"As long as I can donate I will continue to help those people out.
"I would encourage everyone to consider giving blood; just come in and have a crack at it."
Blood Service spokesperson Stuart Ward urged locals to give blood, saying it was the most important Secret Santa they’ll ever do.
“If Secret Santa is about giving anonymous gifts, designed to make someone’s day, then blood donation really is Australia’s ultimate Secret Santa exchange,” he said.
“Blood will be needed by road accident patients, pregnant mums, cancer patients and even premature babies every day this Christmas and New Year’s. Eve.”
“With many people taking time off this holiday season we need those who can to step up and be a life-changing Secret Santa to Australian patients in need, ensuring no one misses out on receiving this incredible gift.”
Mr Ward said stocks of platelets, a blood component vital to the treatment of cancer patients, were particularly at risk during the Christmas period.
“Your blood donation will be the ultimate gift to Australian patients this Christmas – and will have a far reaching impact on the lives you save, and the lives of their loved ones.
“So this Christmas we’re urging Port Macquarie locals to take part in Australia’s Biggest Secret Santa exchange by making an appointment to give blood.”
To make an appointment to give blood or find out more about Australia’s Biggest Secret Santa, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au
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