Urgent call for O and A blood donors this Easter
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urgently calling on people with type O and A blood to donate as reserves face significant pressure this Easter.
With fuel supply disruptions affecting travel in some regional areas, Lifeblood is urging eligible donors to book now and donate as close to home as possible this Easter to boost the organisation’s blood supply.
More than 13,000 blood donations are needed between 31 March and 10 April to ensure blood is available for people injured in accidents and emergencies, as well as for thousands of other seriously ill patients.
Lifeblood Executive Director Donor Experience Cath Stone said while donations surged after the Bondi attack, appointments have dipped in the lead-up to Easter.
“We saw an extraordinary response from people across Australia in December, with record numbers of donations from the community during a time of need,” Cath said.
“The need for blood continues well beyond any single event. Blood is needed every day, and demand can spike around Easter due to increased road accidents and ongoing cancer treatment needs, at a time when many regular donors take a break.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to attend their appointment. If you can donate, please book ahead and keep your appointment - it could make all the difference for a patient.
“Most people who donated after Bondi are now eligible to donate again, and we’re asking them - and anyone else who can - to book a donation in the next fortnight.
“Right now, we need more type O and A donors, and we know 23,000 of the first-time donors who gave after the attack were type O or A donors.
In a major trauma, it can take up to 100 blood donations to save one life. Many other patients rely on blood regularly, including people receiving cancer treatment and those living with blood disorders.
Cath said while O negative blood is vital in emergencies because it can be given to any patient when their blood type is unknown, O positive is increasingly used as a critical back-up.
“O positive blood can’t be given to all patients, but with positive blood types becoming more common, it has become essential in emergency care, saving doctors and nurses precious time when a transfusion is needed.”
Plasma donations are also in demand, accounting for around half of all donations needed this Easter long weekend.
“Transfusions of fresh frozen plasma are often used to help save the lives of emergency department patients by replacing vital clotting factors needed to control severe bleeding,” Cath said.
“Many Australians don’t know their blood type - but that shouldn’t stop them from donating as all types are needed to donate plasma this Easter.”
Donations are especially needed on Good Friday, with many donor centres opening nationwide and operating across the entire long weekend.
Book a donation and make a difference this Easter, visit lifeblood.com.au, use the Lifeblood app or call 13 14 95.