It’s the State of Origin neither Queensland or NSW care if they lose – just as long as both states give a lot of blood to win.
The Gold Coast Titans will wear red socks in their NRL clash with Wests Tigers at Skilled Park on Saturday night to help promote the Red Cross’s “Donate for Your State” challenge, with rugby league fans from both sides of the border urged to give blood.
One of three Australians will require blood some time in their lifetime but, according to the Red Cross, only one in 30 donate blood.
Titans forward Mark Minichiello jumped at the chance to help promote the campaign after his wife Milena required a series of blood transfusions following the birth of their young son Luca.
The rugged forward recalled the frightening experience when his wife hemorrhaged after giving birth to their first son.
“She hemorrhaged pretty badly and lost a lot of blood but thankfully there was enough blood there and she had a blood transfusion,” he said.
“She needed a fair bit of blood and I was enormously grateful the Red Cross and the blood bank had enough blood on hand.
“It’s a great cause and I appeal to the public to get behind it because there are a lot of sick people out there who need it at different stages.
“Rugby league supporters are good people and if we can get that message out there to donate blood it will save lives.”
Minichiello said having being touched personally he’d learned the importance of donating blood.
“My wife is fine now and we have our beautiful son thanks to those Australians who regularly give blood,” he said.