What started as a one-off onsite blood drive at Auckland’s Watercare facilities has now turned into a lifesaving tradition thanks to New Zealand Blood Service’s (NZBS) group donation programme – Team Red.

Watercare is New Zealand’s largest company in the water and wastewater industry. It draws water from 23 different sources around Auckland, treats it and supplies it to homes and businesses via a vast network of pipes. It’s an organisation that understands the importance of a vital product and the need for its availability 24/7, so it’s no surprise Watercare would be a great fit for Team Red.

Team Red is an NZBS initiative with a single purpose: to encourage people to donate in groups, and it’s open to businesses, social clubs, even groups of friends.

In addition to being a Facilities Manager at Watercare, Juliana is also the Team Red Captain and as such, a galvanising force driving Team Red.

“It’s a great way to promote wellbeing within our workplace and our community”, says Juliana. “Team Red is a great initiative that enables staff to contribute to a worthy cause as a team”.

“Our staff also really appreciate the convenience of the NZBS shuttle service, and more importantly the fact that Watercare enables them to participate in blood donation during business hours.”

NZBS offers a complimentary shuttle service to safely transport Team Red members from their work location to their nearest donor centre, and back.  In an attempt to minimally disrupt work hours and organise blood donations for 25 of her Team Red members, Juliana schedules five team members per day on a designated week every three months.

“Staff are not always available or well enough to give blood at the time/date scheduled, but generally we have about 25 members at one time who are happy to roll up a sleeve and donate for someone in need”.

As Team Red captain, Juliana has also noticed a boost in morale from the team camaraderie. Fellow staff member Rohan, who pre-Team Red suffered from a needle phobia, now feels so comfortable with the process that he looks forward to the next appointment.

“NZBS staff are so good at what they do that you don’t even realise the needle is in! I’m quite confident now, that I can do it anytime. But also, not looking at the needle always helps”, says Rohan.

“I feel I’m doing such a great thing that I don’t even think about the needle anymore. I’m just really happy to do it and help out. If you can give, please do – you won’t regret it”.

NZBS requires 3,000 donations each and every week to meet demand in New Zealand and recruiting businesses to sign up for Team Red like Watercare is a sure way of helping those in need.

To find out more about how you can become a blood donor, click here or call 0800 GIVE BLOOD