Awards mark the beginning of National Blood Donor Week

1/7/01
More than 75 Western Australians who have donated blood 100 times will be recognised today for their lifesaving contribution to the community.
Health Minister Bob Kucera will present awards to the donors during a ceremony at Government House.
The presentation marks the beginning of National Blood Donor Week (July 1-7, 2001).
Each July, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service celebrates National Blood Donor Week and undertakes a series of events as a way of saying thanks to blood and bone marrow donors.
Mr Kucera said the 100th donation awards acknowledged the generosity and commitment of blood donors and their vital contribution to the lives of many Western Australians.
"Occasions such as this go a long way to remind us that the spirit of community is alive and well in WA," he said.
"Each year some 66,000 Western Australians generously donate blood at the Australian Red Cross Service's six metropolitan and six regional centres.
"In WA, five per cent of the eligible population donate blood, which is the highest rate in the country.
"These blood donations are vital for our whole community - particularly when we consider that more than 98 per cent of the population benefits from blood donations at some stage of their lives."
Mr Kucera said the State and Commonwealth governments provided more than $20 million each year to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service for the collection, screening and distribution of blood and blood products.
Media contact: Fran Robb 9213 7000