Water is often described as the lifeblood of the planet. While it is the responsibility of water corporations to manage and deliver this precious resource, several Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) staff have also been delivering lifeblood in a far more literal sense.
GMW has a Lifeblood team that comprises of staff across the business who donate blood at their local Lifeblood branches. In 2023, the team managed a total of 114 blood donations.
GMW Asset Planning Manager Fiona Nioa is one of the regular donors for the team and has been donating blood for close to 20 years. However, doing so was not always straightforward for Fiona.
“I first tried to donate blood when I was 17 and I actually fainted,” she said.
“For quite a while I wasn’t allowed to try again but after many phone calls, I convinced them to let me have another go. Everything went smoothly, so I have been making regular donations ever since.”
Despite Fiona’s determination to donate, her rationale for doing so was logical rather than personal.
“For me, it is just such a simple thing that makes such a massive difference,” she said.
“It’s not painful, it’s just a matter of making time. I usually book in with the Shepparton Centre, and they are always fantastic.”
GMW Asset Strategy and Engineering Support manager Shayne Lowe is another who contributed to the GMW Lifeblood Team tally.
He said his family and colleagues were a big part of the reason he had begun giving blood.
“My dad would have given blood hundreds of times and has been a frequent donor his whole adult life,” he said.
“At GMW, I joined a team with Fiona and several others who often donated, and that also encouraged me to keep making appointments and keep donating.
“I now have friends and family who rely on blood donations, so I’m really grateful to be able to do my bit. It’s a small commitment but it goes a long way.”
GMW allows employees to take leave specifically for giving blood to help incentivise staff to do so.
The Shepparton Donor Centre received over 8500 lifeblood donations in 2023.
Lifeblood spokesperson Aania Tandon said these donations were vital.
“Every week Lifeblood needs 33,000 blood and plasma donations, and we see incredible donors come in all the time to help meet that demand,” she said.
“Blood and plasma donations help save thousands of lives. The need for blood never stops and you never know whose life you might be saving.”
To book a donation or check if you can donate, call 131 495 or visit the Lifeblood website: lifeblood.com.au