Prospect resident Colleen Smyth has helped save the lives of up to 1,443 people since 1979 simply by donating blood, plasma and platelets.
Colleen has donated has incredible 481 times, making her one of South Australia’s top female donors. She is among 21,622 women who donate blood in South Australia every year. The generous donor said she is passionate about helping others, calling blood donation ‘the right thing to do’.
For International Women’s Day (Wednesday March 8) Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has teamed up with iconic Australian female designer Jenny Kee to celebrate women like Colleen who give blood.
Jenny Kee first witnessed the power of blood donation during the 1977 Granville train disaster when thousands of Australians donated blood to save the lives of those who had been injured. Inspired by International Women’s Day, Kee has created a limited-edition bandage, which will be wrapped around the arms of donors who roll up their sleeves to donate throughout March.
The bold bandage, which is emblazoned with some of Kee’s signature motifs, including doves, hearts and waratahs, pays tribute to the generous and giving women of Australia who change lives.
Lifeblood spokesperson Andrew Chadwick said Lifeblood was thrilled to work with pioneering Australian designer Jenny Kee to acknowledge Australia’s generous donors, including the dozens of donors who come in to South Australia’s Donor Centres each week, and raise awareness of their life-saving contributions.
“This stunning bandage is a reminder that by giving up your time to donate blood you can save up to three lives,” Mr Chadwick said.
“One donation is needed every 18 seconds in Australia and a new blood donor is needed every four minutes.”
“Just over half of Australian donors are female (51%), while 55% of new donors in Australia are women. But we always need more. More donors are especially needed this weekend in the leadup to the Labour Day long weekend, when we still have 128 appointments available here in South Australia.”
The Jenny Kee-designed bandage is part of Lifeblood’s 2023 True Colours campaign. The campaign sees Lifeblood partner with Australian artists and designers to create limited-edition bandages to help boost blood donations while ensuring donors look and feel great while donating.
The Jenny Kee bandages will be available at Lifeblood donor centres nationwide from March 6, including International Women’s Day on March 8, and while stocks last.
To book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, or download the free Donate Blood app.
