• Charles Sturt students and staff’s 930 blood donations in 2021 inter-campus challenge helped save more than 2,790 lives
• Wagga Wagga campus had the most donations with 332
• Orange had the highest portion of campus population donate with 25.66 per cent

Charles Sturt University staff and students have made 930 blood donations to save more than 2,790 lives in the Charles Sturt Intercampus Blood Donation Challenge.

Wagga Wagga retained the title for most donations with 332 while Orange retained its title for the campus with the highest per cent of donations with 25.66 per cent, an increase of more than 10 per cent from last year.

Overall donations from six campuses and regional study centres increased on last year, from 862 to 930.

Charles Sturt’s Intercampus Challenge runs in conjunction with the Australian Red Cross’s Tertiary Blood Challenge, where the University finished ninth out of 123 universities across the country.

Charles Sturt Director of External Engagement in Bathurst and Orange Ms Julia Andrews said the outcome is outstanding and staff and students should be proud of their contribution.

“It is very exciting for Orange to maintain that prominent position two years in a row,” she said.

“I hope donors will continue to assist the Red Cross beyond this challenge.”

Campus totals and 2021 proportion of campus community:

Wagga Wagga : 332 – 10.11 per cent

Orange: 165 – 25.66 per cent

Bathurst: 153 – 7.29 per cent

Port Macquarie: 118 – 7.91 per cent

Albury: 116 – 7.46 per cent

Goulburn: 15 – 3.75 per cent

Dubbo: 10 – 4.59 per cent

Regional Study Centres: 3 – N/A

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood spokesperson Mr John Feist said 31,000 donations a week still need to be collected to meet demand of recipients of blood and blood products.

“Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is seeing high appointment cancellations across the country, but the need for blood doesn’t stop just because our usually vibrant city has,” he said.

“Donating blood is an essential act of care-giving, so it is exempt from restrictions. If you’re feeling healthy and well, you can still donate at your nearest donor centre. It’s the best reason to leave the house.”

Find the nearest donation centre by using the Find-a-Centre function on the Australian Red Cross website.

There is a seven-day waiting period to donate blood or plasma after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.