The Armidale and District Chamber of Commerce is mid-way through a three month Member Blood Drive, running from June 1 to August 31. According to Armidale Red Cross Blood Donor Centre Manager, Amy McGregor, the Chamber’s Blood Drive has boosted blood donations in a time of need.

“Winter is generally a time when we see a reduction in blood donations, due mainly to the cold and flu season, which rules people out from being fit, well and able to come in and donate. Generally, we see up to a 20 per cent drop in donations. So, the Chamber’s Blood Drive has made a significant difference,” Mrs McGregor said.
People are also less likely to go out and do anything out of the ordinary in wintry condition, so blood stocks in recent weeks have fallen to critically low levels.
The Chamber of Commerce has communicated the need for blood donations to businesses. Busy staff can find it difficult to get away from work to donate. The Blood Drive has assisted workers to donate by getting their workplace to support the cause. Managers have agreed that a positive team building exercise has also resulted.
“The benefits of the Chamber’s Blood Drive go beyond the Blood Service, here in Armidale,” Mrs McGregor said. “It’s proven to be a way that businesses and their staff can unite and do something for the common good.”
Last week, the management team from the Armidale Branch of the Newcastle Permanent Building Society rolled up their sleeve and exposed a vein. The day before, about 15 Bunnings Armidale staff members donated as a team. “It’s a rewarding experience that is about more than blood. It is about helping the local community and saving lives,” Mrs McGregor said. “Blood donations are not solely for our needs. We support local health needs, including people who are suffering degenerative diseases.”
The Armidale Blood Donor Centre is a not-for-profit member of the Armidale and District Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s efforts have illustrated the community-mindedness of local businesses and their staff. Each Chamber member and staff member who participates in the Blood Drive can register their business at Club Red online. Donations go towards each business’s blood donation tally. 
 “At our August meeting, an award will be presented to the business that gives the highest number of donations during the three-month blood drive, and also the business that gives the most donations, as a percentage of their workforce, as this will give smaller businesses an opportunity to shine too!”  the Chamber’s Executive Officer, Liz Egan said.
Only a tiny proportion of the population regularly donates blood. “One in three people are going to need blood or blood products in their lifetime, but only one in 30 people will actually donate,” Mrs McGregor said, while expressing optimism about future donor statistics. “The demographics of the nation’s donor pool are changing - not yet in number or amount, but we’re now seeing increasing numbers of younger donors. The younger generation has witnessed their parents donating and is motivated to do so as well. Motivation can also come from knowing somebody with cancer, and understanding that donating can help that person or someone in their condition. Blood donations are also needed to make vaccines for our children, and of course, for burns and trauma victims.”

Story: Gary Fry