The United Synagogue

Project Chesed Inspires Blood Donation Campaign In Australia

PRESS RELEASE

London,
21st April 2011


PROJECT CHESED INSPIRES BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN IN AUSTRALIA

Project Chesed’s blood donor campaign has inspired the creation of a similar programme within the Jewish community of Melbourne, Australia. The hugely successful United Synagogue campaign which has secured 2000 new donors since it began in 2009, is now being replicated by the Jewish community of Melbourne who are being encouraged to attend a recently opened blood centre to help achieve the aim of collecting 6000 blood donations within the next eight months.

Australian Steven Shochet, a member of the Melbourne Jewish community, was inspired to run the blood sessions after seeing a Project Chesed poster at South Hampstead United Synagogue during a visit to London. Steven contacted Candice Woolfson, Director of US Chesed, asking for advice and guidance in launching a similar programme in his community in Australia.

Having managed to secure the backing of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria and the Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Victoria, promotional material for the sessions can now be found across most orthodox synagogues in Melbourne.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service has been very appreciative of the new initiative and Alison Melville, Public Affairs officer for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, commented:

“The support of the Jewish community has been a key part of the initial success of the Donor Centre and we would like to encourage everyone to consider donating blood.”

Candice Woolfson, Director of US Chesed said:

“When Steven first contacted me in July 2010 I couldn’t quite believe that the blood donor campaign had reached Australia! He was keen to generate some interest in his local community and since then has managed to launch a blood donor campaign across all orthodox shuls in Melbourne.

“To have a Project Chesed initiative reach the other side of the world is extremely exciting and to think that the Australian Jewish community is now deeply involved in potentially saving lives is something that makes me feel incredibly proud.”


-End-


EDITORS’ NOTES: -

For further information, please contact:

Leonie Furman
The PR Office
Work: 020 7284 6969
Email: us@theproffice.com

this week
shabbat times

May. 25th - 26th
5th Sivan
Begins: 20:46
Ends: 22:03
Sedra: Bamidbar

   ------------------------