Leukaemia Foundation and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood unite this World Leukaemia Day (4 September) to urge Australians to donate blood for cancer patients – the nation’s biggest users of blood products.
Blood services around the world are calling for more people to donate regularly as a range of pressures – from extreme weather and seasonal illness to changing donation patterns – challenge blood supplies.
For people who acquired HIV and hepatitis C infections from blood transfusions in the 1980s and early 1990s, the impacts have been profound and lasting.
Ongoing shortages of type O and A blood supplies have prompted an urgent call for an extra 12,000 people to donate immediately, as peak winter illness keeps donors away and emergency orders remain high.
The Sydney Swans and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood will theme Sydney’s Round 24 match of the AFL Premiership season as “Round 42”, to highlight that donated blood has a shelf life of just 42 days and remind Australians of the importance of blood donation this winter.
Premature babies at Royal Darwin Hospital now have access to donated human breast milk, with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood expanding its national milk service to support neonatal care in the Northern Territory.
