It might be one of the smallest donor centres in the country, but Moore Park is proving that small can be mighty, saving over 22,000 lives since doors opened at the Sydney Swans HQ in July last year.

In just 12 months, the Lifeblood Moore Park Donor Centre – that’s home to only six chairs – collected the most donations of all the newest donor centres in the country, ahead of Brunswick and Marrickville.

Much like the top-of-the-ladder Sydney Swans, Lifeblood’s Moore Park team and donors are proving to be every bit the champion team.

“Since opening last year, locals have rolled up their sleeves to give almost 7,600 blood and plasma donations to support Aussies in need, collectively saving more than 22,700 lives,” said Carley Byrne, National Manager Regional Partnerships at Lifeblood.

“We are so proud of our centre and so grateful to all the donors who have visited us in our first 12 months, you have genuinely made the biggest difference.”

To celebrate its first birthday and generous donors, the Moore Park Donor Centre is throwing a party and aiming to achieve a record donation week of 218 blood and plasma donations from Monday 15 July to Sunday 21 July.

“We are a nation for blood donation, and the only gift we want on our birthday is for anyone who is eligible, to give the gift of life,” explains Carley.

“If we can hit 218 donations in one week, we can potentially save up to 654 lives and show how our small donor centre can still be powerful.”

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Give blood with your club and help save lives

Former Sydney Swans player Jude Bolton joined Lifeblood, blood donors and recipients at Sydney Swans HQ earlier this month to celebrate National Blood Donor Week. Vision courtesy of Channel 7.

The Moore Park Donor Centre is located inside Sydney Swans HQ at Moore Park and was officially opened on the 19 July 2023. Tom Harley, Sydney Swans CEO, was the first person to donate and will be cutting the birthday cake this week.

“It has been great having Lifeblood share our Sydney Swans HQ and see them kicking so many goals in their first year,” said Tom.

“I’m excited to be part of this record attempt to celebrate their birthday and to be one of the many Aussies who proudly rolls up a sleeve to donate and save lives.

Australia needs around 33,000 donations every week to meet demand – that’s a similar number to attendance figures for a Sydney Swans home game.

Just like patrons at the nearby Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park donors have enjoyed almost 10,000 party pies and sausage rolls and treated themselves to almost 3,000 choccy milks and iced coffees when donating.

To celebrate the Moore Park Donor Centre’s 1st birthday, and be part of a donation record attempt, book a blood or plasma donation between July 15 and 21.