Riviera’s Health and Safety Advisor receives recognition award

Riviera’s Health and Safety Advisor Tony Schmid has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

A regular blood donor himself, Tony was devastated when a medical condition prevented him from donating blood, but this did not deter his desire to help the Red Cross Blood Service.

As Riviera’s Club Red Co-ordinator, Tony encourages co-workers to donate blood in a bid to make every Riviera blood drive a success.

Red Cross Blood Service’s community relations officer Stephanie Allen said Riviera’s recent blood drive coincided with World Donor Day which recognises the selfless generosity of blood donors.

“World Blood Donor Day gives the Australian Red Cross Blood Service an opportunity to recognise some dedicated individuals, one such person is Riviera’s Club Red Co-ordinator Tony Schmid,” she said.

“The Gold Coast Donormobile Unit presented Tony with the World Blood Donor Day Recognition Award to thank him for his outstanding contribution to the Blood Service.

“Tony’s enthusiasm is infectious and his efforts have resulted in more than 1500 lives being saved.

“As one blood donation has the power to save three lives, Tony’s contribution has helped thousands of Australians over the years.  I hope that others will be inspired by his efforts and become blood donors.”

Tony said he was humbled by the recognition as he just enjoyed participating in the donation program.

“I have seen the pain felt by close friends and family members who have been affected by cancer and I know how valuable blood products are in their fight against the life threatening disease,” Tony said.

“I am also an advanced first aider and as Health and Safety Advisor here at Riviera, I am well aware of the difference our precious blood can make to a person who is ill or injured.

“Being nominated for the World Blood Donor Day Recognition Award is an amazing feeling for which I am very thankful.  I stress the point that it is the people of Riviera that make these donation days a success and that I am just the person who helps to organise the day.  Without each and every individual donation on the day, it would not be the success that they have been.”

Stephanie adds that only about three per cent of Australians provide more than 1.3 million blood donations to the Red Cross Blood Service every year, which helps people battle cancer, trauma, and complications in pregnancy.

“World Blood Donor Day is a chance to reflect on the special role blood donors play in the lives of others by volunteering just one hour of their time to help save a life.”

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