Parramatta RSL Prepares To Save Lives and Support Lyndon’s Campaign
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 28th June 2010
Parramatta RSL Prepares To Save Lives and Support Lyndon’s Campaign
Parramatta RSL/Castle Hill RSL’s Group Marketing Manager Melanie Morson has been a blood donor for the last 7 years. Recently her best friend’s brother-in-law Lyndon Tomlinson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for the second time, having previously fought the condition and gone into remission in July 2008.
Lyndon is a passionate tri-athlete and 33 year old Senior Work Cover Inspector who recently married the love of his life Natasha Longin. Lyndon is currently fighting the battle with his condition in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Camperdown.
Lyndon desperately needs a bone marrow transplant, however so far none of Lyndons three brothers have been a match due to a rare tissue type. Recently Lyndon and Natasha started a social media campaign with family and friends on Facebook to encourage people to become more aware of the Bone Marrow registry process.
Lyndon said “There is a huge gap in the system in people being made aware of becoming a bone marrow donor”.
Melanie Morson said “On Monday 5th July I will give a blood donation and register for the Bone Marrow registry for the first time. Lyndon is just such an inspiration and I want to encourage all our staff and Hills residents to consider giving blood and registering for the Bone Marrow Registry at the same time. To think that potentially you could be a match and save someone’s life someday is very powerful”.
Parramatta RSL is raising awareness about The Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR).
The Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry is a register of people who are willing to donate their bone marrow if they are found to match a patient needing a bone marrow transplant. Donation doesn’t always involve surgery, a lot of the time the stem cells are able to be collected from a vein in the arm, much like a blood donation.
You can be part of the registry by letting the staff member taking your blood donation know that you would like to be put onto the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. They will then take some additional units of blood and send it off to be tested. The registry will then contact you if you are found to be a match.
Donors must be between 18 and 40 years of age at registration and in good health.
Warren Glenny, President and Chairman of Castle Hill RSL Group said, “We are very pleased to get behind this initiative and raise awareness about The Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), which is vital to saving lives and also support the Australian Red Cross”.
The Parramatta Red Cross Blood Donor Centre is located at 22 Oak Street Rosehill. It is located in the shopping centre with the entrance being via Arthur Street.
Parramatta RSL Red Cross Blood Donor Centre’s Collection Hours are:
Monday 7.00am - 3.00pm
Tuesday 7.00am - 2.00pm
Wednesday 11.00am - 7.00pm
Thursday 11.00am - 7.00pm
Friday 7.00am - 3.00pm
Saturday 7.30am - 3.00pm
Every alternate Saturday 26th June, 10th & 24th July, 7th & 21st August