Someone who knows the critical importance of blood donations is Senior Constable Jonathan Wright.
In 2018, Const Wright (pictured above), attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, was setting up a random breath testing site on Campbelltown Road, Leumeah, when he and a fellow officer were hit by a distracted driver.
As a result, he was pinned between two vehicles, sustained serious lower leg injuries and lost a significant amount of blood.
“Whilst in hospital, I underwent three major surgeries during which I received five bags of blood and my right leg below the knee had to be amputated,’’ he says.
“Without blood I likely would not be here today,” Senior Constable Wright said.
Since Monday, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers across the state have been visiting their local Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centres to donate blood and help save lives.
It’s part of an initiative on the Easter long weekend to mark the incident involving Constable Wright.
Leading the drive, Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, said every member of the NSW Police Force knows the importance of blood donations as they unfortunately see people who need blood every day.
“Traffic officers see first-hand the very real need for blood when they arrive on the scene of crashes where people have suffered serious injuries and will require donations,” he said.
“The need for blood is 3 percent higher this year than the same time last year, and we encourage anyone who can donate to do so, not only are you helping people who have suffered traumatic injuries but also those with serious illnesses, such as cancer.
“To meet the current demand for blood, more than 33,000 donations are needed every week across Australia, and an hour of your time could save up to three lives.’’
More information is available on the Lifeblood website: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/
