Air Force answers call

Just minutes after touching down at RAAF Base Sale, CO 32SQN, SQNLDR Dave Newman and FLTLT Phil McMaster are escorting Red Cross nurses Julie Hogan and Jenny Temple to the 60 people awaiting bone marrow testing. Photograph by SGT Troy Rodgers

The Royal Australian Air Force's commitment to support the local community is as strong as ever. The most recent - a gesture of goodwill by members in Victoria.

No. 32 Squadron flew two civilian nurses from Melbourne to Sale, to assess potential donors for the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

Jenny Temple and Julie Hogan were flown to RAAF Base East Sale aboard one of the Squadron's HS748 navigation trainer and general transport aircraft. The nurses tested colleagues and other supporters of a 22-year-old female employee of Sale firm Stockford Accounting, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in September, and requires a bone marrow transplant.

Some 24 employees of the accounting firm and about 30 other members of the local community were asked to fill in a questionnaire, and then given a blood test. The Bone Marrow Donor Registry emphasises that any potential donor must be prepared to be included on the Registry for any person in need.

The Air Force flew the nurses to and from Sale as part of normal pilot training. Commanding Officer of No. 32 Squadron, Wing Commander Dave Newman, said the Air Force was continually well supported by the Sale community, and he saw this as a simple yet clear way of returning that support.

Sarah Conway, a close friend and colleague of the patient, arranged for the nurses to visit Sale to set up a temporary Registry office for one day - and asked the Air Force to help.

Although the patient's work mates readily offered to have their bone marrow tested, the closest testing site was in Melbourne, a three-hour car trip. And with rail or road transport not acceptable due to tight regulations on transporting blood over that time and distance, flying was the only option.

Story by Peter Johnson