A sea of arms unite for good

The Cairns Lifeblood Donor Centre was awash with military recently as personnel from HMAS Cairns arrived en masse to donate blood and plasma.

The Far North Queensland base booked donations for 30 sailors on September 10 as part of the 2026 Defence Blood Drive.

CO Cairns CMDR Andrew Thorpe said having a dedicated day was a great way to promote donations and support the community.

“If you include our fleet units on base, we have about 700 personnel here,” CMDR Thorpe said.

“It would be about 300 to 400 personnel without the fleet units, so either way, we are a significant part of the community.

“Our kids go to the local schools, our partners and families live and work here.

“It is really important to us to strengthen those community ties and having our own blood drive shows we want to support people in need.”

The seasoned officer has been donating blood and plasma for 10 years.

“It’s a small act that can have such a far-reaching impact,” CMDR Thorpe said.

“The good thing about the Defence Blood Drive is that it focuses attention on donating, which is not at the forefront of people’s minds.

“With our HMAS Cairns Blood Drive, we have put up posters so it becomes a topic of conversation.

“That’s how I first donated. I saw a Defence Blood Drive poster and we discussed it at a divisional meeting.

“Now, as one of the senior officers on the establishment, I am conscious I need to lead by example to promote donating as a minor action we can all do which could have a profound effect.”

The Defence Blood Drive, now in its 18th year, runs until 30 November.