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Blood payment for comedy act |
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Renowned comedian Vince Sorrenti was on hand to trade jokes with the diggers and encourage blood donations – he even rolled up his own sleeve in a cause close to many soldiers’ hearts – well aware that in this time of conflict one day they or their mates might need help. Mr Sorrenti became involved when he offered to entertain troops during a visit to Townsville. The Army and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service decided to go one better and invite the comedian to use his talents to encourage the donation of life-saving blood. For those a little ill at ease about the blood giving experience, laughter proved to be the best medicine with the comedian’s wide smile and generous spirit shining through as he joked with the soldiers on site. “I liked the idea so much I donated for the first time myself,” he said. “It was a remarkably painless experience apart from the blood-curdling screams when the needle went in.” He was joking of course – he in fact had an ear-to-ear grin through-out the entire donation, which was completed in 10 joke-filled minutes. Bruce Muller, of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, was delighted with the result as 54 soldiers rolled up to donate despite inclement weather. For him, the need for blood is deadly serious. “At the moment Australia needs more than 21,000 blood donations every week to meet the needs of hospitals,” he said. While all blood donors are welcome those with rare blood types are particularly in demand. This fact motivated 3/4 Cav Regt’s Cpl Shane Keighran to front up. “As my blood type (A negative) is fairly rare and stocks are usually low, I see it as important to donate,” he said. As well as whole blood, the blood service is encouraging soldiers to donate plasma which can be done every two weeks. Mr Muller said plasma donations took between 45 minutes to an hour and are made through a process called aphaeresis. |
