BRETT EBERT doesn’t like needles.

He’s not all that fond of the sight of blood either.

But when his father Russell got diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukaemia late last year and was no longer able to donate blood as he has done regularly for several years, Brett decided to put aside any misgivings and take his dad’s place at the Lifeblood Donor Centre.

The former Port Adelaide forward, who won the 2003 Magarey Medal to make it five between him and his father, has started a push along with his cousin Brad and the rest of the Ebert family to encourage more people to donate blood and plasma.

They’re challenging the Port Adelaide and Australian football families to join with theirs as part of “Team Russell” and help save lives.

“We’re hoping people will get along to the Red Cross around the state to donate some blood,” Brett explained to portadelaidefc.com.au after visiting the Port Adelaide Lifeblood Donor Centre on Thursday.

“It’s an easy thing to do. You go through a few questionnaires and then you sit down and the rest is taken care of.

“Brad donated some plasma, I just donated blood, but he had to be in there a bit longer because I think it takes about an hour to donate the plasma so he watched some tennis and enjoyed himself while I had some healthy snacks.”

People who want to get involved can book in to donate blood or plasma at their local Red Cross Lifeblood Donor Centre across the state and tell staff they’re part of Team Russell to have their donation counted towards an overall tally keeping count of how many lives are saved.

One in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime and one blood donation can save up to three lives. Donated plasma is used to make 18 different life-giving treatments.

While donating blood was always important to Russell, it wasn’t until it hit so close to home with his father’s cancer diagnosis that Brett realised the need.

“(Team Russell) is for Port Adelaide people but it’s also for the wider community as well,” Brett said.

“Dad’s touched so many people with what he’s done in the community, not only in football but also disability and people who are living in unfortunate circumstances.

“He’s always been a pillar of strength for everyone so this is something that he’s said we can help him with.

“Everyone’s asking what they can do so if you get down to your local Lifeblood Donor Centre, mention Team Russell and we’ll keep a tally of how many people we can get donating blood and plasma.”

As well as being a legend of Australian Football, Russell Ebert is a champion for the community, leading Port Adelaide’s Community Youth Program for more than 20 years on top of being involved in many other charitable causes and frequently giving up his time to support people in need.

His community work, especially his work in the club’s Power to End Violence Against Women program, was recognised when he was named the 2021 South Australian Local Hero at the SA Australian of the Year Awards late last year.

Leila Pardon from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service was extremely grateful for Russell Ebert’s long-term commitment to donating blood and plasma and to the Ebert family and Port Adelaide Football Club for its support to the cause.

“We need 31,000 blood donations every single week to keep up with patient demand and people of all ages and backgrounds need blood, from tiny babies to the elderly for a huge variety of health reasons,” Ms Pardon explained.

“Plasma is a very important part of the blood because it makes 18 different life-giving products.

“We actually need more of it every year so with plasma you can donate more often, helping more people and giving people what they need most when the need it most.

“We can’t thank Team Russell and the Port Adelaide Football Club enough for their support. We really appreciate it.”

How to support Team Russell

Members and supporters can click here to register as a blood donor and join Team Russell.

If you are aged between 18-75 years and are feeling well click here to check your eligibility to donate blood or plasma.

To book time to donate please call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood app.