An online petition has been launched by a local resident in memory of her late father, aiming to improve access to blood donations for people in the South West.
"In 2021 we lost the most amazing man, Graeme Ridge, to Leukaemia," petitioner Nicole Gregson said.
"Dad suffered through a gruelling 12 months of intensive blood cancer treatment.
"At the beginning, following diagnosis, there was rarely a week without him receiving a blood donation.
"At the end stage there was rarely a day that went by where he wasn't accepting blood, plasma or platelets from a generous donor."
Nicole said despite the generosity of blood donors, the lack of accessibility to a local donation centre in Busselton posed significant challenges for Graeme and his family.
"Some days, we were unable to get platelets for him and his life was hanging on hope for an emergency bag of platelets to arrive at the hospital direct from a donor," she said.
Nicole is advocating for a Red Cross LifeBlood pop-up facility to visit annually (or more frequently) to the lower South West.
"Our closest Donor Centre is in Bunbury, which makes it almost impossible for those who can't make the two hour round trip up... or work business hours.
"I believe the Busselton community would step up and donate more if we had a Red Cross LifeBlood pop-up facility that came annually - or more - to the South West region, to increase the number of donations and lives saved."
The petition currently has more than 540 signatures, with signatures only required (no donations).
To sign and find out more, visit www.change.org/p/busselton-blood-donation
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
