GIFT OF GIVING: Tamworth Truck Driver’s Club members Chris Rindfleisch,front, with Max Thomas, left, Darryl McMillan, Angela Smyth, Damien Hook, Danny McMahon, Willy Smyth, Denis Ivan and Wayne Farrell. Photo: Robert Chappel 190112RCF002
THE tough exterior of some of Tamworth’s truckies was put to the test at the Tamworth Blood Bank recently.
A number of members of the Tamworth Truck Driver’s Club have thrown their support behind a national blood donation initiative that could help to save the lives of thousands of Aussies in need.
The Club Red program sees organisations and groups across Australia get together and do something special by regularly donating blood. More than 750 lives were saved in 2012 by Tamworth Club Red groups and 100,000 donations were recorded nationally.
Vice president of the Tamworth Truck Driver’s Club Denis Ivin said his club had joined the program as part of their 2013 new year’s resolution.
“In around the same time as one of our meetings, our members can make a positive contribution to the lives of patients including those with cancer, mothers-to-be and newborn babies,” Mr Ivin said.
Blood Service spokesperson Sandee Thompson thanked the Tamworth Truck Driver’s Club for their generosity and support.
“With demand for blood expected to double, local business, community and sporting groups are playing an important role in ensuring that Australians who need blood have access to a safe and ongoing supply.”
The group made its first donation on the first Saturday of the country music festival and Mrs Thompson said the donations were timely given the need for more blood donors on weekends.
“The increasing demand for blood and blood products has seen an extension of opening hours at the Tamworth Blood Donor Centre since its relocation last September,” said Mrs. Thompson.
“However, our Saturday sessions are proving very hard to fill and we need more support from the local community to increase donations.
“One in three of us will need blood in our lifetime and yet just one in 30 actually donates.”
Mrs Thompson said in the new year she would like to encourage more Tamworth residents to donate blood.
“The Tamworth Blood Donor Centre is open six days a week including Saturday’s from 9am to 1pm,” she said.
To make an appointment or find out more about the Club Red program call 13 14 95.