3SR FM breakfast host passes out during live broadcast of blood donation. In a first for the Shepparton Blood Donor Centre, local breakfast radio hosts Wally and Kel last Thursday decided to give “synchronised donations” whilst on air.
The broadcast and donation aimed to encourage the local community to give blood as Australian Red Cross Blood Service calls for nearly 250 more Shepparton and Goulburn Valley residents to donate over the next four weeks.
However, during the commercial break, Wally become unresponsive and one of the nurses told staff that he had passed out for a short period of time.
Damian ‘Will’ Willoughby, who was panelling the OB back at the studio said:
“The line went a little quiet during a commercial break, with Erin, the Donate Blood Media Liaison, jumping on the mic to let me know Wally had flat out passed out. Wally came to with 20 seconds to go before the end of the spot block”.
Coming back from the commercial break, Wally blamed “the chair and getting up a 4 o’clock in the morning”.
Although they were nervous about donating live on air, the team were confident their listeners were cheering them on. Speaking about their donations, Wally said:
“This is the closest I’ll get to being a lifesaver without subjecting the public to my pasty figure running along a beach in speedos dishing out mouth-to-mouth”.
Kel furthered:
“I’m super excited about having the rarest blood type in the world, if that’s not the case, I’m pumped I can at least be a useful member of the community. All jokes aside, we’re just thankful to have the chance to be part of such a great cause and help out however we can!”
Blood Service spokesperson Erin Lagoudakis said the need for blood was constant:
“The need for blood never takes a break, with one in three Australians needing this life-saving product in their lifetime. Over the next four weeks we nearly 250 more people to make an appointment to donate blood at the Shepparton Donor Centre. With every blood donation saving three lives, that’s enough blood to save nearly 750 lives.”
View the Southern Cross Ten news reflection on the broadcast below:
Wally may have a point about the chair. Years ago when I was working with Clive Robertson on Breakfast at 2GB we did a similar thing. Let's give blood live on the air, all in a good cause, we look like good guys, bit of theatre for the listener, why not? As it turned out, we provided rather more theatre than intended. I had asked for a particular kind of chair as instructed by the nurse. It didn't appear. Just couldn't get comfortable in the one provided. When I was hooked up, I squeezed hard in an awkward position and a whole lot of blood came out ultra fast. I didn't faint - in fact I felt fine - but did come over all sweaty and pale looking. The nurse was concerned. Robertson was about as much help as you'd expect, giving running commentary on how I wasn't the man he was etc. The nurse was adamant I lie down on the floor, which I did briefly. Of course this only provided more fodder for Robertson. I suspect we may not have achieved our stated objective i.e. encourage more people to give blood. But I guess it made for a radio moment...