Sunshine Coast-based law firm, Wakerley Legal has stepped forward to help launch the 2026 Legal Services Blood Drive, demonstrating the powerful role the legal profession can play in supporting the community.
As part of the national initiative, running until May, legal practices across Queensland are encouraged to form Lifeblood Teams and donate blood or plasma through Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
Firms participate both collectively and competitively, contributing to life‑saving treatments while fostering teamwork and social responsibility across the profession.
Wakerley Legal’s team embraced the challenge, with many staff members donating blood for the first time.
Director Trent Wakerley said the initiative strongly aligned with the firm’s values.
“I’m incredibly proud of our staff for stepping forward to help save lives through blood donation, their willingness to contribute to such an important cause reflects the values we strive to uphold as a firm,” he said.
Mr Wakerley said the team was motivated not only by community impact but also by the collective spirit the campaign brought to participating firms.
“Our team enjoys a challenge, and we’re motivated to increase our contribution in 2026, we strongly encourage other legal practices across Queensland to engage their teams and join the Lifeblood Teams program.”
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood spokesperson Jacinta Jeffrey welcomed Wakerley Legal’s involvement, acknowledging the importance of leadership within the profession in encouraging broader participation.
Individual team members also reflected on their experiences, highlighting how accessible and rewarding the donation process can be.
For Karen Cormack, the initiative carried special personal significance, her daughter is a recipient of regular plasma products, making participation in the Blood Drive particularly meaningful.
Chelsea O’Brien, Wakerley Legal’s Lifeblood Champion, made her first donation during the campaign and said she was keen to learn more about her blood type and the patients who may benefit from her contribution.
Roslyn Freeman said she was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the experience was, describing the process as “much easier and quicker than expected”.
Sarah Wakerley said she was proud of the team’s collective effort and hopeful their involvement would inspire other firms to follow suit.
“We’re proud to support such a worthy cause and hope our example encourages others in the legal profession and wider community to get involved and help give someone a second chance at life,” she said.
Ms Jeffrey said the Legal Services Blood Drive showed the collective impact the profession could have beyond legal practice.
Lifeblood currently needs about 33,000 blood and plasma donations every week to meet patient demand across Australia, with donations supporting a wide range of medical treatments, from trauma care to chronic illness management.
Legal professionals and firms interested in getting involved can form or join a Lifeblood Team and book appointments throughout the campaign period. To make an appointment or register a team, visit Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s website or call 13 14 95.
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