IN just one hour, Latrobe Leisure Centre gym-goers will improve the health of patients in need without even breaking a sweat.
It is all part of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service’s Gyms Challenge which is running until 14 December.
As part of the challenge gym staff and members will be encouraged to make a blood donation, which takes just an hour and saves the lives of three patients in need.
Latrobe Leisure Centres in Churchill, Moe and Morwell are three of about 95 gyms in Victoria competing to see who can make the most blood donations.
“At Latrobe Leisure gyms we help our members to make goals and meet challenges, when we heard that just one in 30 people donate blood we knew this was one challenge that couldn’t be turned down,” Latrobe City manager recreational liveability Jamey Mullen said.
“The reality is that while we’re putting up a good fight on the treadmill, some patients are fighting just to say alive.”
Blood Service community relations officer Stacey Whitelaw said the competition was quickly building with fighting fit gym-goers already setting goals to save lives.
“We’re asking gym members to step up and join the challenge, there’s an increasing demand for blood but still only three percent of the population donates,” Ms Whitelaw said.
“A donation that takes just an hour of your time will lift the weight off the shoulders of patients in desperate need of life-saving treatments.
“Your donation will mean a lifetime to someone else.”
To donate phone 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au
