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Media Statements

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts

19/10/2009

Services Challenged to Donate Blood

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Neil Roberts today launched the Red Cross Blood Service's inaugural "Battle of the Services" challenge.

Mr Roberts said Queensland's Police, Corrective Services, State Emergency Service, Ambulance and Fire and Rescue personnel had been challenged to see which service could donate the most blood during a two-month period.

"Staff and volunteers have until December 19 to make a donation at their nearest blood donor centre or mobile unit," he said.

"The service with the highest percentage of staff donating blood during this time will win the Battle of the Services shield.

"As 2009 is the year of the blood donor, I encourage all staff and volunteers from all the services to donate blood to support this important service."

Mr Roberts said police, corrective services and emergency services staff saw the need for a blood service on a daily basis.

"These men and women are dedicated to community safety," he said.

"Their work at accident and disaster sites has underlined for them the importance of donating blood.

"While there will be intense rivalry between the services to see who will win all staff understand the most important aspect of the challenge is saving lives."

Australian Red Cross Blood Service Queensland Operations Manager Tony Bourke said that 1 in 3 Australians would need blood at some point in their lives, but just in 1 in 30 give.

"The people working for the divisions involved in Battle of the Services save lives and protect the community everyday, and we hope that they will embrace this campaign and save even more lives by becoming blood donors" Mr Bourke said.

The Battle of the Services Challenge has been supported by Queensland Police Service Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Kelvin Anderson, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Lee Johnson, Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner David Melville and Emergency Management Queensland Executive Director Frank Pagano.

They said the challenge was a great way to support the Red Cross Blood Service as it celebrated its 80th year of collecting blood in Australia.

Media Contact:
Minister's office - 3239 0199; DCS Media - 3247 8186; Police Media - 30152444

 




Last updated: 19 October 2009