Heroes from the Port Adelaide Football Club have come to the rescue of patients in need – and you too have the power to save lives.

Port Adelaide Football Club has partnered with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and is encouraging supporters to donate blood this football season.

The club kicked off the partnership by making 10 blood donations at the local donor centre in Port Adelaide this week.

This contribution is enough to save 30 lives.

Port Adelaide spokesperson Kane Cornes said donating blood is a simple and quick way to help a mate in need.

“One in three of us will need blood or blood products in our lifetime,” Cornes said.

“With these odds that patient could be someone you know, whether it be a team-mate, a friend or a family member.”

The good news is that helping a mate is quick and easy.

The entire donation process takes around one hour and you will spend less than ten minutes sitting in the chair giving blood.

You give 470 millilitres, which is less than 10 percent of your total blood volume, and about the same amount of blood as a pint of beer.

This is enough blood to save three lives, and as an added bonus you get to enjoy free refreshments afterwards.

The Blood Service is urging more South Australians to follow Port Adelaide’s lead to help them meet the country’s ongoing demand for blood.

27,000 donations are required every single week to treat patients including those with cancer, new mothers and surgical patients.

If you’re aged between 16 and 70 and feeling healthy and well you may be eligible to save lives by donating blood.

Donations can be made at:
• Port Adelaide Blood Donor Centre, 95 St Vincent Street Adelaide
• Regent Arcade Blood Donor Centre, Grenfell Street Adelaide
• Pelican Plaza Blood Donor Centre, 1007 North East Road Ridgehaven
• Marion Blood Donor Centre, 1 Milham Street Oaklands Park
• Onkaparinga Blood Donor Centre, 12-18 David Witton Drive Noarlunga Centre

Plus, two mobile units travel to more than 50 regional and metropolitan locations across the state. With your help, the real winners this season will be the patients in need of blood.

To get involved call 13 95 96 or visit donateblood.com.au