SA

Sharon Heathfield receives a product made from the blood component plasma every 28 days. Here's her story:

“My name is Sharon I am 58 years old. In 2006 I had a bleed in my brain, my platelet count was 16000. I also I had continual sinus infections that just never seemed to clear. Later I was diagnosed with CVID, common variable immunodeficiency. This means my immune system can't protect me from common bugs and I get very ill.”

Blood is set to spill off the field this football season.

It’s all part of the Southern Football League Blood Challenge which kicked off in the South this month and will see 15 clubs from the league compete off the field to see who can save the most lives by donating blood.

The challenge which is open to players, as well as family members and supporters, is taking place between 1 May and 30 September. To participate, team members simply need to donate blood and join their club’s group on Club Red, the Blood Service’s tracking tool.

The South Australian RSL has answered the Australian Red Cross Blood Service’s Call to Arms this ANZAC Day by encouraging their members and the public to donate blood. 

Leading the way is South Australia’s RSL State President Tim Hanna. Tim is a long time blood donor and has shown his support for the cause by donating blood and saving three lives in the days leading up to ANZAC Day.  

Sean Perry from radio station FIVEaa has joined the club of legends by making his first blood donation.  

For weeks Sean has been gathering the support on-air he prepared to roll up his sleeves and save lives. 

Joined by his listeners, members of the community who have received blood and even the Deputy Mayor, Sean successfully rolled up his sleeves at the Port Adelaide Blood Donor Centre this week.  His efforts proved to be inspiration for his listeners and some even made a donation to support the popular presenter. 

Donations made by Stephen Ordish have saved the lives of patients across the country. It was donations of blood like these that saved his fiancé’s life last year. 

Stephen’s fiancée Jessica required 12 units of blood when she experienced complications during the birth of their son in November. The complications were incredibly rare, but thankfully there was blood available to save Jessica’s life.

It was this experience that inspired Stephen to become a blood donor and help a family in the same way that blood donors helped his own. 

Carolyn Patrick had no idea that the majority of donated blood helped cancer patients until her daughter was in need of life-saving blood and blood products.

Carolyn’s daughter Jasmine received 20 units of red cells and platelets as part of her treatment for medulloblastoma (brain cancer). Jasmine’s diagnosis came in 2009 when she was nine years old. As part of her treatment Jasmine endured six months of intensive chemotherapy, in which she needed both red cells and platelets so that her body could sustain the treatment.

Adelaide’s March Madness has hit but the show must go on at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

The South Australian Blood Service needs to fill an additional 760 appointments over the next fortnight and is concerned that the city’s current festivities could lead to a decline in donor numbers.

Blood Service spokeswoman Emma Schreiber is reminding locals that while there is plenty to see on stage this March, donors are still needed to perform life-saving blood donations.  

A group of extraordinary school students from South Australia will be gathering together in March to gain the skills required to potentially save hundreds of lives.

It’s all part of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service’s Youth Ambassador Program which is running again this year. As part of the program, select senior school students from across the country will be taught how to take an active role promoting the Blood Service in their school community.

Nives Caon is an inspirational South Australian, who has not only overcome personal adversity but has also accomplished many achievements.

Included in her achievements is being a blood donor for 50 years and giving whole blood 105 times. Nives recently came in to the Regent Arcade Blood Donor Centre, to donate blood for the last time and is sharing her story in the hope of inspiring others. 

The Blood Service will be visiting Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Naracoorte and Port Augusta over the next month to collect donations from our generous regional donors.

You can find us at the following locations and times:

Mount Gambier, Bowls Club, 172 Commercial Street West
•    Tuesday 12 February: 11.30 – 5.00
•    Wednesday 13 February: 11.30 – 8.00
•    Thursday 14 February: 11.30 – 8.00
•    Friday 15 February: 8.30 – 3.00