14 | New blood donor centre Donor Relations Coordinator Scott Pearce (centre) says the new facility is already delivering positive benefits. NZ Blood Donor Centre-Hamilton T T Sue Russell REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Seeing staff and visitors settled in and enjoying all the facilities Hamilton’s new NZ Blood Donor Centre has to offer is a real joy for Donor Relations Coordinator, Scott Pearce. Scott has been with the blood donor service 3 ½ years now; during a time of growth and transition for the agency, culminating in the opening of the new centre on 14 August 2023. “It’s certainly been a very busy and exciting time as we have prepared for this major move; one that we hope will bring lasting benefits given the centre’s location in Hamilton’s CBD,” Scott says. Very much responsible for getting ‘bums on seats’ and increasing uptake by the public to give blood and plasma regularly, Scott says the doubling of capacity, with 24 beds available at any one time, as well as the much more visible location of the centre, is already delivering positive benefits. “In Hamilton, we need to collect 660 donations of blood and 330 of plasma each week. Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, having been tested in Auckland. So, it’s essential we continue to build up public awareness of how vital giving blood and plasma is.” Gaining corporate support and taking mobile blood donation vans out to the regions is an important activity. “We find often support from smaller communities we visit is tremendous.” The new Blood Donor Centre has effectively doubled donation capacity but Scott says there are other benefits to the city itself from locating the centre where it is. “We hope that, as a destination, right in town, those who come to donate will add to the city vibe and life. Hamilton’s CBD has struggled over the years to attract shoppers and visitors and many new build initiatives, including this centre, are turning that around.” We are heavily reliant on the support of the local businesses. It is always good that we have some amazing businesses that allow their staff to come in and donate during work time. “Most of our donors work and then have commitments after work so finding time to donate is very hard. Businesses can track how many lives they have saved via a live link on the New Zealand Blood Service App. It is a great way as a business to give back to the community and makes it a little easier when you donate with friends.” Purpose-build by Hamilton’s Stark Property, the $4.5 million centre is expected to bring abuot 1000 donors a week to the CBD. At 950m2 inside the donor floor is light and spacious. Located within easy walking distance of Hamilton’s transport centre the building also has underground carparking space for 30 vehicles. Businesses around the centre have been very welcoming with Urban Homes putting up Bill Boards, celebrating the opening and encouraging people to become donors. The Hamilton Blood Donor Centre operates as headquarters for a large donation catchment, extending from Pukekohe in the north through Coromandel, Gisborne and down to Whanganui, with upward of 50 mobile donor vans. Stressing the importance of ample supplies of blood and plasma, Scott says often the public don’t realise how essential they are for cancer treatments in particular. Blood can be donated every three months and plasma every 2 weeks so constantly getting the message out is vitally important. “Plasma is like a gold liquid and can be made into 11 different products for cancer therapy treatments. Some donors choose to give plasma rather than blood and when a donor first attends all aspects of the process and their choices are discussed fully with them.” The donor centre is also home to an array of sustainable design features, such as LED lighting, EV chargers in the carpark, low-flow water fittings and solar power on the rooftop which generates approximately 25% of the centre’s annual electricity demand. Storm water retention tanks have been installed as well. These will take pressure off council storm-water infrastructure during heavy rain events. Each time blood is given, donors give 470ml in a process that takes 30 minutes all up, though the actual blood donating time is only 10 minutes. Plasma volumes given are individual, relating to gender, weight and height. The donor floor is located on level two, along with extra work-stations, donor interview rooms and administration areas while above, on the third level is a staff cafe, recruitment office and meeting space. “We all feel very positive about the move into this wonderful new building and its potential to increase our visibility and consequent volume of donations.” 45B Duke Street, P.O. Box 8018, Hamilton Ph: 07 846 1995 www.modernconstruction.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT NZ BLOOD DONOR CENTRE-HAMILTON watsondavies.co.nz admin@watsondavies.co.nz 07 847 7139 7 Roger Kaui Place, Burbush, Hamilton Find us on Facebook Earthworks Dra nage Civil Construction Bulk Cartage Site Works Landscape Products
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