A DECISION by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to launch its new mobile donor service into regional Western Australia has been applauded by Wagin MLA Terry Waldron.

Mr Waldron said he and his Nationals colleagues had campaigned vigorously to give regional West Australians the opportunity to give blood in their own communities.

“The brand new state-of-the-art four-bed donor vehicle will come into service in 2009 and I urge country communities to put their case forward for a spot on the blood donor service program,” Mr Waldron said.

“Over the next few months the ARCBS expects to be contacting local communities about potential new collection venues.”

Mr Waldron said certain criteria needed to be met by potential venues, including sufficient population to support an eligible pool of donors.

“I first raised this issue in Parliament with Health Minister Jim McGinty when the mobile collection service was forced to close down in July 2005 and he agreed then to re-investigate options for the service,” he said.

“The service had visited Narrogin and Northam annually up until then and country people really

appreciated the chance to participate.

“I am especially grateful to local community groups and individuals who assisted me during the lobby campaign and they have a major role in achieving the desired outcome.”

Mr Waldron said blood collection was a critical community service that should be available to all Western Australians.

Currently there were 12 static donor centres.

The Narrogin community, in particular, had expressed disappointment at the loss of the service in 2005 because the previous collection unit was based at the hospital and the high school and helped students gain a sense of community and develop a blood donor culture,” he said.

Mr Waldron said communities interested in participating should contact ARCBS business development manager David Bowie on 9421 2306.