Final call: 1200 blood and plasma donors needed every day

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued its final call for the festive season, asking people to make a life-changing blood donation as the year draws to a close.

1200 donors per day are still needed to give blood, plasma, and platelets to help ease demand from patients during this critical holiday period.

Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone said the organisation was buoyed by the response to its Christmas blood blitz – but hundreds of donations are still urgently required.

“Australians have rallied to donate blood and plasma over the festive season and support patients who rely on blood products for their life-saving treatments,” Ms Stone said.

She said maintaining supplies during the holidays was always a seasonal challenge for Lifeblood.

“As we head into another long weekend, we historically see a drop in the number of people donating.

"These blood and plasma donors have the potential to help patients relying on blood products during this time.”

Someone somewhere in Australia will rely on blood every 18 seconds over the coming days whether that is for serious accidents, surgery, complicated births, or cancer treatment.

“Donating blood takes about an hour but it’s a gift that will make a real difference to a patient’s life,” Ms Stone said.

Donor centres are open throughout the New Year break, with 24 donor centres around the country opening their doors on New Year’s Day.

To book a donation – and check which donor centres are open over the holiday season - call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, or download the free Donate Blood app.

State breakdown of additional donors needed each day:

NSW: 2400   VIC/TAS: 2450

QLD: 1350    WA: 600

SA: 350        NT: 50   

For images or further information please contact: media@redcrossblood.org.au