More blood donors needed now

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an immediate appeal for 22,000 extra people to donate blood or plasma in the next fortnight. 

All blood and plasma types are needed, but in particular O-, A-, A+ and B- blood types are all running low.

Lifeblood Executive Director Cath Stone said elective surgery is driving the increase, as busy hospitals tackle a pandemic-driven backlog, alongside declining donor numbers. 

“Hospital demand is up 7 per cent compared to this time last year and we have around 10,000 fewer people donating now than we saw at the peak of the pandemic,” Ms Stone said.

“We need more donors to roll up their sleeves to ensure fridges are well stocked. We have 22,000 extra appointments to fill during the next two weeks.”

“Even if you don’t know what blood type you have, we still need you – we need all blood types every day,” Ms Stone said.

“31,000 donations are needed every week across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy and a host of other situations,” she said.

“As we continue to ride the wave of changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s essential that blood and plasma donations continue.”