Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) staff are once again being called on to roll up their sleeves to bolster blood and plasma donations as part of the 2025 Lifeblood Emergency Services Blood Drive.
Each year the QAS enjoys some friendly rivalry with our fellow emergency services colleagues, competing for winner boasting rights for the most blood or plasma donations made between 1 June and 31 August.
QAS Metro North Assistant Commissioner Tony Armstrong joined Acting Statewide Infection Prevention Program Coordinator Jemma Shirra-Gibb and High Acuity Response Unit (HARU) paramedic Andrew Colen to launch this year’s drive at the Chermside Donor Centre.
Meanwhile in Rockhampton, Central Operations Centre Executive Manager Suzanne Nehring joined Health Minister Tim Nicholls at the Rockhampton Donor Centre, rolling up their sleeves to highlight the need for more donors.
Andrew has worked in HARU for more than 10 years and knows first-hand the importance of donating blood and plasma.
“Blood products are used by both HARU and our aeromedical teams to treat patients in severe medical cases or with significant trauma,” Andrew said.
“Having blood products on hand gives us the ability to provide lifesaving care to patients in the most vital moments.
“Knowing how crucial blood products are for our patients, it is an important reminder for me to regularly role up the sleeve and donate.”
The Emergency Services Drive is an initiative to increase supply through the colder months when winter illnesses see a large drop in bookings at Lifeblood centres across the country.
For more information about our annual friendly competition, or to register as part of the QAS team, check your donor eligibility, and book in your blood, plasma or platelet donation, click through to the Lifeblood website.
In late-breaking news..... From 14 July, Lifeblood donor rules affecting the LGTBIAQ++ community will be changing. To find our more, click here.