$1.5 million donor centre to be built in Mackay

Construction on Mackay’s new $1.5 million blood donor centre will commence this month in the heart of the Mackay CBD.

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The site at 143 Sydney Street will replace the temporary service at Evo Park when it opens later this year.

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The Blood Service’s Mackay Community Relations Officer, Chris Proctor, said the new centre would be Mackay’s most spacious yet.

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“The new centre will be purpose built to create a pleasant environment for our donors, with ample space and a central location to make it even easier to save lives,” he said.

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“It will have four interview rooms, will accommodate up to 12 donor couches, and has a floor space nearly double the size of the biggest we’ve ever had in Mackay.”

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“This will help us to serve more donors and collect more blood and plasma donations from Mackay and its surrounds.”

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While timelines are yet to be finalised the Blood Service hopes to be settled in their state-of-the-art facility by late 2017.

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“More details about the new Mackay Blood Donor Centre will be shared with donors and the community as this exciting project develops,” Chris Proctor said.

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The announcement comes as the Blood Service calls for Mackay residents to think about becoming blood donors.

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“We know around 9 million Australians are eligible to donate, but only 500,000 do so,”

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“Blood donation takes just one hour – it’s such a short time spent saving three Australian lives,” Chris Proctor said.

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To make an appointment call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au.