The Defence Blood Challenge Is On

As part of the 2022 Defence Blood Challenge, defence personnel will be presenting their arms to give more than 11000 blood or plasma donations.

What was a seed of an idea back in 2009 between Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and the ADF has now morphed into their longest running donation event. Now in its 14th year, Australia’s longest-running blood challenge started on September 1 and will conclude on December 8, strategically timed to ensure supplies support Lifeblood into Christmas and beyond.

Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Meredith, Army’s Brigadier David Kelly and Air Force’s Group Captain Mike Burgess-Orton launched the challenge on September 1 at the Lifeblood Civic Centre in Canberra.

Left to right: Sally from the Lifeblood Civic Centre in Canberra Canberra,  Army’s Brigadier David Kelly, Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Meredith and Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Chris Smith

Rear Admiral Smith noted that a single blood donation could save the lives of up to three Australians and that plasma could be used to treat patients with serious burns, cancer or brain disease. He emphasised that the Defence Blood Challenge highlights the Defence value of service to the community.

Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Chris Smith, flanked by Meg, Sally and Cath from the Red Cross Lifeblood Centre as he donates plasma at the launch of the 2022 Defence Blood Challenge. (Photo: Petty Officer Bradley Darvill)

He said that the Defense personnel would be looking to improve on the 10689 donations from last year, which saved up to 32067 lives.

(Photos taken from the ADF's public channels. No copyright infringement intended.)