$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.

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

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

“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.

“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.”

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

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

“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.

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

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

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

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