8,500 people are needed to roll up their sleeves over the next week to replenish Australia's blood supply.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood are making an urgent call for blood donors to donate this week as our stock of blood reserves plummet. Australia’s blood supply has felt the freeze this winter with the percentage of people cancelling appointments due to cold and flu symptoms the highest it’s been in five years. A staggering one in every five donors has cancelled or rescheduled their donation appointments due to cold or flu-like symptoms each week since the winter season started, resulting in as many as 1000 donor chairs sitting empty and much-needed blood supplies dropping.
With the national tally sitting at 8,500 people required to restock the supply, the numbers are broken down by state with Victoria requiring the highest donation levels at a significant 4,200 donors. New South Wales sits at 1,800, Queensland at 1,000, Western Australia at 700, South Australia at 500, Australian Capital Territory requiring 200 donors, and both Northern Territory and Tasmania requiring 50 donors each to step up.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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“After months where cancellation rates due to illness were at their highest, now is the time to enjoy the warm glow that comes with giving blood and saving lives,” says Steve Eldridge, Lifeblood Director of Donor Relations.
“As a nation we need thousands of blood and plasma donations every day. Therefore, we need more people to become regular donors. If more eligible Aussies start donating, especially when our regular donors are off sick, they too might get hooked on that positive feeling that comes from saving lives.
“If you are feeling healthy and well, step up and join the donor movement, and help us fill those empty donor chairs,” Eldridge adds.
Every week, Australia needs around 33,000 donations to meet demand and Lifeblood will struggle to meet patient needs if cancellations continue and appointments aren’t filled coming off the back of the colder months when cold and flu rates peak.
Just over 3% of people in Australia donate blood and plasma regularly, however it’s estimated up to 57% of the adult population are eligible to donate, which is an extra 10 million people who could roll up their sleeves, particularly during this time of demand.
“We know donors feel so disappointed when they have to call in sick for a donation, but for us the most disappointing thing is when empty spots go unfilled especially when we know there are millions of people who could help,” explains Eldridge.
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Blood supply indications have become streamlined over the past two months thanks to the introduction of the Lifeblood Blood Supply Update in June. With the nation’s blood supply levels now available to view in real-time online, it’s hoped that more people will donate more often, especially if they know that their specific blood type is needed.
“We rely on the generosity of donors to provide vital blood products to people undergoing cancer treatment, living with blood disorders, needing surgery, or even women giving birth. You never know when you, or someone you love, might require blood, plasma, or platelets to survive, so make yourself cosy in a donor centre this winter and give someone the gift of life. The best way to find out your blood type is to book a donation at your local donor centre,” says Eldridge.
Donors who are affected by cold and flu symptoms can give blood at least seven days after making a full recovery. Whilst the hope for reschedules is high, the need for more donor appointments is higher. To incentivise eligible Australian’s to step up and donate this week, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood have partnered with Indigenous artist and two-time Olympian Brad Hore to offer a limited-edition bandage to anyone that books a donation before Sunday 8 September. The bandage acknowledges the life-changing impacts of a community of giving.
You can book a donation now by calling 13 14 95 or book online at lifeblood.com.au or on the DonateBlood app.
