Several years ago, motorcycle enthusiast Peter Davis figured out a way to combine going for a ride with ‘doing some good’.
He launched Blood Bikes Australia – a volunteer brigade of motorcyclists that ferry urgent blood and medical supplies between hospitals for free. The money saved on transporting blood and supplies can then go to other healthcare services.
Peter first started making deliveries in Brisbane on his own but it soon grew to nine volunteers. Blood Bikes Australia has now grown to 280 qualified volunteers across Australia.
His team of riders has made nearly 4,000 last-resort pick-ups and deliveries for 50 healthcare providers from Cairns to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania.
They’ve delivered life-saving blood, biopsies, COVID tests, stem cells, corneas for transplant and clinical trial tests, along with files and patients’ personal items.
Peter’s long-term goal is for more hospitals to use Blood Bikes Australia, saving more lives and healthcare dollars.