By Aaron Cordy
BLOOD saves lives. It is estimated that 1 in 3 will need donated blood in their lifetime, which is why the officers at the Shepparton Police have joined fellow officers around the country to participate in Bleed4Blue Drive from December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
Bleed4Blue is an annual, three-month law enforcement-focused blood drive in partnership with Red Cross Lifeblood, launched following the stabbing of an officer in Maroubra on Australia Day in 2018. So, until the end of February 2025, you will see our local boys in blue down at the Shepparton Lifeblood Donor Centre near the Coles carpark on Vaughan Street.
“I regularly do as often as I can, and then they advertise the Bleed4Blue. So absolutely, why not?” said Sergeant Darren Wagstaff when asked why he was donating.
“I started 30 years ago. My pop used to donate blood. Yeah, he got me into it.”
Sergeant Wagstaff is also a plasma donor. Plasma donation is also vitally important for those who can donate, which Shae Burns, relationship manager of the Shepparton Lifeblood Centre, is keen to remind everyone.
“Because you can only go in broad once every three months as well. So, there’s some people that won’t be eligible to donate right now, but they might be eligible to donate in two months’ time. So that’s why we run it for three months and then encourage everyone to come on in that three-month period.” said Shae.
“We’re really thankful for the support of the ship police and yeah, all Victorian police are coming in and donating and helping encourage others to come on in and donate.”
