Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and Movember are joining forces this month.
With one in three men needing blood in their lifetime, Shepparton men and people across the country are being called on to donate blood or plasma during Movember.
Anyone who donates during Movember at Shepparton Lifeblood Donor Centre will receive a limited-edition bandage designed by Movember co-founder and artist Travis Garone.
The design called ‘Brothers in Arms’ features a thick, curled handlebar moustache in the shape of two clasping hands on a blue backdrop.
“Having the two hands come together, I don’t see that design as a handshake. I still see it as helping each other. You’re helping your friend, you’re helping your brother, you’re helping your mate as well,” Mr Garone said.
“Men care about their health, and they do talk about it, but the volume is too low. The Brothers in Arms bandage is about drawing attention to men’s health and getting on the front foot, and if that encourages more guys to have a conversation and donate blood, whether that’s by themselves or with their mates, that is the ultimate outcome.”
Lifeblood spokesperson Shae Burns said just 1335 men donated blood or plasma in Shepparton every year.
“This Movember, we’re calling on more locals to help us meet increasing demand. Currently, we particularly need more O group donors because it is the universal blood type that can be given to anyone in emergencies,” she said.
“Just like a moustache, a blood donor bandage is an important symbol to start a conversation, and with young men 35 per cent less likely to become donors than young females, we need more men to be having these conversations and become part of the blood donor movement.”
The Movember bandages will be available at Lifeblood donor centres nationwide from November 1 while stocks last.