Cpl Dave Patterson, 10FSB, lines up at the Red Cross Blood Bank in Townsville Hospital. Photo by Cpl Jason Weeding, 1JPAU(P)

SINCE the beginning of 2002, more than 200 Army personnel have donated blood at the Townsville Blood Service.

With troops now having to travel to the Townsville Blood Service instead of the service coming to them, it has been a fantastic effort, according to the blood service’s spokesperson, Bronwyn Stephens.

Troops from many different units including JLU-NQ, 3CSSB, 4 Fd Regt, 10 FSB, 3 Bde HQ and the 1RAR band have donated blood.

Ms Stephens said the soldiers often came in as a response to an urgent call to boost stocks back up to safe levels.

She said early next year would see the introduction of a Mobile Blood Collection unit in Townsville.

It was hoped that the capability would dramatically increase the donation rate from 2.5 per cent of personnel to more than 5 per cent.

The blood service encouraged all potential donors to ask staff about the eligibility to give blood, as guidelines were constantly changing.

For example, going overseas, even to East Timor, does not affect donors eligibility to donate. People who have been to malarial countries are not discounted from donating even if they are still on malarial medication.

• For more information or to find out donation hours please contact the Townsville Blood Service on (07) 4796 3199.

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