When the 90th birthday of long-time Como resident Joan Quinn came around, her family could not think of a more fitting tribute to the family matriarch than to make a lifesaving donation in her memory.
Mrs Quinn, who died in September 2018 after a battle with acute myeloid leukaemia, was well-known in Sutherland Shire thanks to her contribution to sport, school, charities and community activities.
So her five children thought it was only fitting to mark what would have been her 90th birthday by donating blood in her honour.
Joan's daughter Megan Quinn started a Lifeblood team, 'Honouring Joan Quinn', and put out a call for help, which resulted in about 20 people converging on The Shire Donor Centre at Miranda to donate blood and plasma in Mrs Quinn's honour.
The Shire Donor Centre manager Jenny Rush said the Quinn family had been long-time blood donors at the centre.
"When Megan approached us to help them commemorate what would have been their mother Joan's 90th birthday, we were very keen to be involved," she said.
"All five of Joan's children donated blood and also brought in some friends and family to donate too, and make it a really special time in remembering such a special lady."
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is recognising blood donors in the lead up to National Blood Donor Week, which starts June 14.
Over the past 12 months, blood donors in St George and Sutherland Shire have made almost 20,000 donations to help save the lives of some of Australia's most vulnerable patients.
The blood and plasma collected at The Shire Blood Donor Centre was among more than 1.5 million donations collected across the country in the past year.
"Recently, Australia has faced unparalleled challenges, from devastating bushfires to the coronavirus pandemic, yet one thing has remained consistent; the generosity of our donors," Ms Rush said.
Details: The Shire Donor Centre is at 29 Kiora Rd, Miranda, and is open seven days a week. To make an appointment phone 131495 or click here.
