Flinders University led SA in last year’s Tertiary Blood Challenge, and Di Thompson and Sharon Hutchings (both from Finance and Procurement) are hoping to top these efforts in 2019, rolling up their sleeves and preparing for this year’s challenge that commenced on March 4.

The 2018 initiative saw ‘team Flinders’ make a total of 452 donations over the period of the challenge, saving up to 1356 lives and bringing in 36 new blood donors. The University topped the State in both number of donations and number of new donors across institutions that included universities, TAFEs and many others – but the University of South Australia was a mere handful of donations behind.

Flinders is again teaming up to save lives between 1 March and 31 May 2019. Every single blood donation can change the world for three Australians, including people with cancer, immune diseases and many other serious medical conditions.

Di was involved in last year’s challenge representing Flinders and is keen to help the University beat its own record. As a blood type O negative her blood can be used for anyone, and she recently increased her participation after discovering she had a rare immunity to the rhesus negative virus, which means her blood is now used to help premature babies.

Sharon is a long time donor, having donated blood on and off over the past 25 years. “I think its a wonderful way to help people if you are able,” she says. “It’s great that you always receive a text telling you where your blood has gone, you really know you’re making a difference.”

Staff and students are invited to help Flinders make an enormous difference in the community again – and ensure Flinders stays on top for the Australian Red Cross 2019 Tertiary Blood Challenge.

Get involved

• Register a donor account at my.donateblood.com.au if you don’t already have one.
• Join the Flinders University ‘Red25’ group by following the link in the top right corner after you’ve logged in (search for Flinders University).
• Book an appointment and donate between 1 March and 31 May 2019.
• Not everyone is able to donate blood, but everyone can help by spreading the word and encouraging participation from their colleagues, friends and family – especially those at Flinders.

Find out more, track progress or download resources at the Tertiary Blood Challenge website.

Below: The Red Cross team were out in full force for O’Week, getting in early with a total of 35 appointments made and signing up 83 new donors and 27 existing donors to the Flinders Uni ‘Red25’ group.