Hurstville Donor Centre Launch: A New Chapter for Community Blood Donation
On Friday, February 7, 2025, Hurstville witnessed the official opening of its state-of-the-art Donor Centre at 252 Forest Road, a development set to enhance blood and plasma donations by an estimated 16,000 each year. In a proud moment for our community, Vice President Martha Gerolemou delivered an inspiring address on behalf of a recipient, sharing her personal journey and passion for life-saving blood donations.
The event was marked by the presence of distinguished guests, including The Hon. Ryan Park MP, who not only participated in the ceremony but also personally offered Martha the opportunity to cut the ribbon. Alongside key community figures like Councillor Natalie Mort and Executive Director Cath Stone (MC), the launch celebrated Hurstville’s rich cultural diversity and its commitment to saving lives.
The event captured the essence of Hurstville with its theme, “What’s Hurstville known for? The dragons, cultural diversity, amazing food and blood donation.” A warm Welcome to Country by John Lam, an Elder of the Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation, set a respectful and inclusive tone for the day.
Conveniently located with Hurstville Station right opposite and ample parking available at Westfield, the new centre is designed to serve the community better. With nearly 700 donation appointments available each week, it is expected to increase blood and plasma donations by about 16,000 per year—an effort that could save an estimated 48,000 lives annually.
Notably, the centre also pioneers initiatives to overcome donation barriers among underrepresented groups, particularly addressing the low participation of Chinese donors in Australia. By employing bilingual staff and culturally sensitive communication, this facility aims to create a donor base that truly reflects the diverse fabric of the community.
The Thalassaemia Society of NSW is proud to support this transformative initiative, which promises to make a significant impact on community health and lifesaving care. For more information or to book a donation appointment, please visit Lifeblood’s website or call 13 14 95.
