- Published:
- Tuesday 14 June 2016
More Victorians will now be able to donate more blood to save more lives with Australia’s largest blood donation centre opening its doors in Melbourne today.
Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, today celebrated the official opening of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service’s new and larger Melbourne CBD Blood Donor Centre on Collins Street.
The state-of-the-art $3.85 million facility, conveniently located in the heart of the city, is now open seven-days-a-week for donations from thousands of CBD residents, visitors and city workers.
To keep pace with more than 185,000 people working in the city, the Melbourne CBD Blood Donor Centre needed extra space to expand its services to meet increasing demand for blood.
Melbourne’s new Red Cross blood donation centre is now Australia’s largest. Thanks to this bigger and better, purpose-built facility, more people will be able to donate blood, and that means saving more lives.
It is expected the new CBD donation centre will collect 62,000 donations in its first year.
Every blood donation can save up to three lives. It is estimated that one in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime. About one in 30 people in Australia donate blood.
The Red Cross Blood Service needs around 25,000 blood donations every single week in Australia, and Ms Hennessy encouraged all Victorians to make a vital life-saving blood donation this winter.
Winter generally sees a drop-off in donors, however, the demand for blood does not stop.
The National Blood Authority manages the national blood supply to ensure hospitals have access to blood and blood products needed for patient care.
The Andrews Labor Government will deliver $100 million to the Authority this year so these vital health products are available when and where they are needed.
All Victorians wanting to donate blood can call the Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95 to make an appointment or visit donateblood.com.au(opens in a new window)
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“With Melbourne now home to Australia’s biggest blood donation centre, there is nothing to stop Melbournians rolling up their sleeves and helping save lives.”
“For city workers, donating blood on your lunch break is now more convenient than ever – and local residents have better access, close to home.”
“The need for life saving blood donations never stops – and in winter it’s even more important for us all to roll up our sleeves and give blood. Your generosity can help save lives.”