Volunteers roll up a sleeve to save lives

Volunteers roll up a sleeve to save lives

05/06/2023, 5:05 PM

The Victoria State Emergency Service is proud to take part in the Emergency Services Blood Drive, which launched today at the Melbourne Donor Centre in Collins Street.

Our members, through their support, play a vital role in saving lives, for patients facing cancer, surgery, childbirth complications, burns, trauma and auto-immune disorders, to name a few.

Last year, VICSES members made 1,187 donations of blood and plasma and we are confident that this year, with renewed vigour, we will make even more.

Running from 1 June to 31 August, the Emergency Services Blood Drive is a great opportunity for our volunteers to roll up their sleeves and break this record.

VICSES Acting Chief Officer, Operations, David Baker made a donation and encouraged others to do the same.


Emergency Services leaders pictured at Melbourne Donor Centre, 5 June 2023 (credit: VICSES)

Attending were VICSES Acting Chief Officer, David Baker; VICSES volunteer Alex Bartaska; Ambulance Victoria Commander, Emergency Management, Trevor Weston; Country Fire Authority, Deputy Chief Officer, Rohan Luke; Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Allyson Larder; Emergency Management Victoria, Deputy Commissioner, Amanda Lack; Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner, David Clayton; Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, Rick Nugent, and Life Saving Victoria CEO, Catherine Grieves.

We're encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeves and give blood this winter season - your donation can save up to three lives.


VICSES Acting Chief Officer, Operations, David Baker gives blood at the Melbourne Donor Centre (credit: VICSES)

If you're aged between 18-75 years, and are feeling well, you may be eligible to donate blood. To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood app.

Quote attributable to VICSES Acting Chief Officer, Operations, David Baker:

“Our members respond twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year to save lives, during emergencies. It seems a natural thing for us to roll up our sleeve, to offer up our arm, and to save more lives by giving blood.”