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HAY RESIDENTS KEEN TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES
22-June-2010
The willingness of the people of Hay to donate blood was emphasised in Federal Parliament yesterday with the tabling of a petition with over 1000 signatures calling for a mobile blood service to visit the town.
The Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, tabled the petition in Parliament, emphasising that the people of Hay have been seeking mobile visits by the Red Cross for many years.
“I have here a petition from people who want to donate blood in Hay…1095 signatures.” Ms Ley said
“Now, if we are serious about the shortage of blood supplies, I ask how they can turn their back on such a clear source of supply.”
The Member for Farrer told Parliament the Red Cross mobile service is based out of Griffith. This van currently made regular visits to a number of smaller communities around Griffith but it does not go to Hay.
“This is a very unfortunate situation. The Red Cross needs blood supplies, and the people of Hay want to provide them. I simply can’t understand why the mobile van doesn’t visit Hay.
“The people in Hay are so keen that the local Lions Club pays for a regular bus service to take people to donate blood.
“There can’t possibly be any doubts about whether the extra journey would be cost effective as far as donations are concerned.” Ms ley said
Last week the Hay Shire Mayor, Michael Rutledge, told the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, that the number of people who signed the petition calling for the mobile visits to Hay was significantly higher than the combined populations of two of the smaller rural communities that the Red Cross currently visits.
Sussan Ley has committed to continue to push for this service.
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