The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 57 countries, one of which is New Zealand, collect 100% of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid donors. Regular volunteers are considered the safest as the incidence of blood borne infections amongst these donors is minute.

In support of World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, staff from the Sysmex New Zealand office gave up their lunch hour to donate blood and plasma at the local donor centre in Epsom.

It is estimated that 80% of New Zealanders will need blood or blood products at one point in their lifetime and with the NZ Blood Service being the sole provider for blood product to NZ hospitals, it is little wonder that they need up to 3,100 donations each and every week.

“Knowing that my one donation can save up to 3 lives, and that for some this can mean the difference between life and death; well it makes the decision to donate so easy,” said Marketing Communications Manager, Rose Harding, “We would especially like to thank all the staff at NZ Blood Service and the free shuttle service that picked us up and dropped us back at the office. The whole process from beginning to end was completed in just over an hour. The staff make the donation process so easy and are simply wonderful. We especially appreciated the drinks and chocolate biscuits afterwards.”