Swans HQ blood donor centre helped save 22,700 lives in first year of operation

The southern hemisphere’s first blood donor centre in an elite sports precinct has kicked major goals and collected the most donations of all new facilities in the country.

Former Sydney Swans player Brett Kirk with Lifeblood staff at the donor centre at Swans HQ in Moore Park.

The southern hemisphere’s first blood donor centre in an elite sports precinct – at Sydney Swans HQ – has provided a critical boost to donations in its first 12 months of operation, collecting the most donations of all new facilities in Australia.

The centre, which recently had its first birthday and is within the Swans’ HQ in Moore Park, has seen locals give almost 7600 blood and plasma donations to support people in need, collectively saving more than 22,700 lives.

Lifeblood partnered with top-of-the-AFL-table Swans and National Regional Partnerships manager Carley Byrnes said the club had been “big supporters”, having always recognised “how important it is for Aussies to roll up their sleeves and donate”.

“In fact, the Swans are top of the ladder on our AFL Blood Drive leaderboard too, making 77 donations, 78 with Brett Kirk today saving over 230 lives,” she said.

Kirk, a former Sydney Swan who played 241 games for the club, celebrated the centre’s birthday by donating blood on Wednesday.

Former Sydney Swans midfielder Brett Kirk at the Lifeblood Moore Park Donor Centre at Swans HQ.

The centre at Swans HQ has collected the most donations of all the newest donor centres in the country, leading Brunswick and Marrickville at the top of the list.

“That’s pretty impressive for a donor centre that’s home to only six chairs,” Ms Byrnes said.

“It might be one of the smallest donor centres in the country, but Moore Park can accommodate up to 22,000 donations a year, which has the potential to help an estimated 66,000 lives.”

While the centre doesn’t need any more chairs, Ms Byrnes said “we do need more donors to ... help save more lives”.

“Australia has over half a million active donors who’ve donated blood products to help treat numerous life-threatening conditions, including cancer, trauma and during life-saving surgery,” she said.

“However, with demand for ... products increasing, (approximately 33,000 donations every week) ... Lifeblood needs even more people to join this critical and generous blood donor community.”

Those who donate blood at the centre have enjoyed almost 10,000 party pies and sausage rolls and treated themselves to almost 3000 chocolate milks and iced coffees.

To book a donation at Sydney Swans HQ or any Lifeblood donor centre, call 13 14 95 or book online at lifeblood.com.au or on the DonateBlood app.