COMBAT medic Kirralee Missen knows more than most the importance of blood donations.
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She probably sees more trauma in her day-to-day life as an enrolled nurse, and on Friday, she joined a crew from Tamworth’s 12/16 Hunter River Lancers to donate blood.
There to save lives, the milkshake and sausage roll reward didn’t go astray either.
Injuries requiring blood transfusions are a usual consequence of war, but as an Army Reserve Unit it’s just as important to Regimental Training Officer Wayne Clarke to support the community.
“On operations overseas we’ve had a few Australian soldiers killed and many, many more wounded,” he said.
“As we all know, whether it’s a motor vehicle accident out on Goonoo Goonoo Road or a mine explosion in Afghanistan – blood is required.
“So those that are deployed regularly will go into hospitals overseas and give blood and it’s the same here.”
One in three people will need a blood donation according to the Australian Red Cross, and donors are in short supply.
Combat medic Kirralee Missen also works as a nurse and joined the ranks in donating.
“There’s a lot of people who need blood transfusions,” she said. “It’s something we use everyday in anything from post-operation to trauma.
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“Every two weeks I usually come down and donate, my hand was up to jump down and give blood.
“We need it, Australia needs it and it saves lives.”