RAAF Base East Sale has won the ‘Battle of the Bases’ blood challenge, an annual blood donation competition between RAAF Bases East Sale and Wagga.
The competition is conducted over a 12 month period and includes all blood donations made by Air Force personnel posted to those two bases. The donation numbers are then weighted against the base populations to give a percentage based result.
Group Captain Tan said the ‘Battle of the Bases’ aimed to boost Australia’s blood supplies and allow Air Force to give back to the community.
“Traditionally there’s a rivalry between RAAF Base East Sale and RAAF Base Wagga, due to the competition between air and ground training academies,” Group Captain Tan said.
“In 2014 Air Force decided to take advantage of this healthy competition and it resulted in a significant increase in blood donations from the two regional training bases.
“Over the past five years, East Sale and Wagga have made 3423 donations – which may have helped save over 10,000 lives. At the very least, we have done something profoundly positive for many Australians.”
Mr Chester is also a regular blood and plasma donor.
He said blood donations assisted a wide range of people in life threatening situations and encouraged the broader Gippsland community to consider blood donation as a way to make a difference in the community.
Most people aged 18-70, of good health and weighing more than 50kg are able to give blood. For more information details about who can donate and how visit the website www.donateblood.com.au/eligibility
