Fraser Coast rallies for lifesaving winter blood drive

Fraser Coast Regional Council is calling on locals to roll up their sleeves and donate blood or plasma this winter as the Local Government Blood Drive kicks off and the Lifeblood Teams competition heats up!

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Paul Truscott said Council had proudly held ‘Top Team’ naming rights at the Hervey Bay Donor Centre for the past two years, with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service emerging as strong contenders for the Lifeblood Teams competition.

“Together, Fraser Coast Regional Council and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service have more than 400 active donors who’ve already made over 1150 donations this year - helping save over 3450 lives,” said Cr Truscott.

“Council has made 376 donations so far in 2025, putting us 203 ahead – but we know Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service are coming for the top spot!”

Fraser Coast Nursing Director for Critical Care Troy Fisher said that blood donations where vital to help respond quickly in a medical emergency.

“At our hospitals, we see the impact of blood donation every single day,” he said.

“It’s not just a resource, it’s a lifeline.

“Our patients rely on the generosity of donors to make recovery and survival possible."

Lifeblood spokesperson Ruth Harrison said these teams are literally the lifeblood of our local donor centres, allowing us to meet the local demand for blood.

“Someone somewhere in Australia will need a blood donation every 18 seconds and we need the support of our Lifeblood Teams to ensure we can meet demand,” she said.

“Every donation made as part of a Lifeblood Team counts towards that team’s tally, and you can create your own or join an existing one at https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donors/other-ways-to-help/lifeblood-teams”.

The Local Government Blood Drive is also underway, with councils across Queensland competing to see who can make the most donations.

Cr Paul Truscott said the Fraser Coast has won the title two years in a row and was aiming for a hat-trick in 2025.

“Council made 225 donations in 2024, potentially saving up to 675 lives which is fantastic,” he said.

Lifeblood spokesperson Ruth Harrison said local government organisations always come together to show they are the heart of our community.

“The demand for blood products is increasing as the population continues to grow. Every week, Lifeblood needs 33,000 blood donations to meet patient needs,” she said.

“With one in three people needing blood in their lifetime, you never know when it might be a family member, a neighbour or someone from your community who needs it.”

There are over 150 appointments available to donate in Lifeblood’s Hervey Bay Donor Centre in the next two weeks.

To make an appointment to give blood call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.