Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling on Port Macquarie locals to take a leaf out of Stewart O'Brien's book ahead of International Plasma Awareness Week.
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Stewart has donated plasma 15 times, helping to save the lives of the thousands of Australian patients who need plasma-based medicines when they are at their most vulnerable.
Stewart is donating as part of the Port Macquarie real estate blood challenge, which sees businesses including Elders Lifestyle Group roll up their sleeves to boost blood stocks.
The real estate challenge runs from October 1 - December 31 and Lifeblood is encouraging participants to donate plasma.
"I didn't realise plasma was so vital to so many people and that so many life-saving medical treatments can be made from just one plasma donation," Stewart said.
Gilly Paxton from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood said Australia is experiencing a significant increase in demand for plasma and plasma products.
"Over the last decade, the demand for some plasma products has increased by around ten per cent every year," Miss Paxton said.
"Plasma makes up the majority of our blood, and is full of important proteins and nutrients that protect us against invaders and help our blood to clot.
"Plasma and plasma products can be the last line of defence in the treatment of many serious medical conditions like cancer, bleeding disorders, immune and neurological conditions, and burns.
"We'd like to thank Stewart and all the participating teams for supporting our call for more donors, we need at least 1800 new plasma donors before the year is out, an extra challenge for our real estate agents."
International Plasma Awareness Week, which runs from October 5-9, highlights the importance of plasma donation and recognises the role of plasma donors in saving and improving lives. It also increases understanding about lifesaving plasma therapies to treat rare diseases.
"Donating plasma is simple," Stewart said.
"Donating once, or just once more, will help Australian patients get the medicines they need."
To make an appointment or learn more about donating plasma, call 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au.
Competing agencies in the Real Estate Challenge are McGrath Estate Agents Port Macquarie (last year's winners), Elders Lifestyle Group, Harcourts Australia Port Macquarie, LJ Hooker Port Macquarie, Percival Property, Raine & Horne Commercial Port Macquarie and Wiseberry Real Estate Port Macquarie.
