By: Mike Crooks
Beloved fashion designer Camilla Franks has teamed up with Lifeblood to encourage people to donate blood.
For the month of February, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is hoping to inspire more people to donate blood for those who are suffering cancer.
People who donate at a Lifeblood donor centre, will receive a limited-edition bandage designed by Franks.
“I know how helpless others can feel when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, and that’s why I was so drawn to Lifeblood’s campaign for February – Give Blood, Fight Cancer,” cancer survivor Franks said.
According to Lifeblood, more than 10,000 blood donations are needed every week to support cancer patients.
For Franks, who is known for her colourful fashion designs, the cause is close to her heart. The fashion designer and mother of one was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2018.
The 46 year old said she “jumped” at the opportunity to work with the not-for-profit health service to raise awareness for blood donation, and the impacts for cancer patients, who are the largest users of Australia’s blood supply. Franks said she had been a blood donor before her cancer diagnosis five years ago.
According to Lifeblood, cancer patients often need “many” transfusions of blood, plasma, or plasma medicines during their treatment.
“During chemotherapy, platelet counts can become very low so patients may receive a platelet transfusion to prevent bleeding,” Lifeblood’s executive director of donor services Cath Stone said.
“With the number of cancer diagnoses set to increase to around 1.7 million by 2031, we know that the demand for blood and plasma will be greater than ever over the next decade, so we need people to become donors now.”
“With the number of cancer diagnoses set to increase to around 1.7 million by 2031, we know that the demand for blood and plasma will be greater than ever over the next decade,” – Cath Stone, Lifeblood
In fact, Ms Stone says Lifeblood requires 10,000 new donors this year alone.
“The demand for blood products in Australia has never been this high,” Ms Stone said in an interview.
“Lifeblood relies on regular blood donors to keep the nation’s heartbeat pumping, which is why we’re urging people to make donating blood a priority – to avoid a shortage in our hospitals. You never know who’s going to need it.”
Franks hopes that her colourful bandage – which will be rolled onto the arms of patients after their donation – will inspire people to donate.
“Even in the moments we feel our most helpless, there is something we can do to help a loved one living with cancer – we can give blood,” she said.
“I hope that this design can act as a reminder of that for people — a symbol of hope. Wearing this bandage is a way to show the world that you care.”
To book a donation, call 13 14 95 or visit Lifeblood.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Images: Supplied