Call for people to bolster blood supplies as donors take ANZAC Day long Weekend

Lifeblood says there’s a risk blood stocks will be stretched following the ANZAC Day weekend unless more donors book a donation this weekend.

For those going away for a long weekend, Lifeblood is urging people to come in and donate immediately after they return.

Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Experience Cath Stone said an additional 1200 donations are needed across Australia every day over the next seven days to prevent a shortage.

Australia needs around 33,000 donations every week to meet the country’s demand for blood and plasma. 

“That demand doesn’t stop during holidays and long weekends, but we do know that many of our donors don’t come in during these periods,” Cath said.

“Tuesdays to Fridays are normally our biggest collection days for blood and plasma nationally, so to have many donors away for two of these critical days means we’re expecting an impact on our blood supply levels as we head into next week,” she added.

While there is a risk there will be less people donating between ANZAC Day through to Sunday, the demand for blood and plasma will continue, including for trauma and emergency patients, surgery, women having babies, cancer patients and people living with blood conditions.

In fact, blood and blood products are needed every 18 seconds in Australia, even during holidays and long weekends.

“For those who are not going away, or who find themselves near one of our donor centres, many of our centres will be open on ANZAC Day and over the weekend for those who can find an hour to come in and donate,” Cath said.

While blood donation only takes an hour of your time, every donation helps to save up to three lives.

To donate blood or plasma, visit lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95 or download the free Donate Blood app.

Number of donors needed each day between April 24 and April 30