Ash Bolt
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood urgently needs people with O negative blood to donate over the next fortnight, as consecutive long weekends threaten supplies.
Lifeblood’s own reserves of the emergency blood type – needed by accident and trauma patients – have dropped to their lowest point in 12 months.
Lifeblood donor services executive director Cath Stone said need for blood was urgent with back-to-back long weekend for Easter and ANZAC Day to threaten supplies.
“The need for blood is often unplanned and urgent,” she said.
“This time of year is when many of our donors take a well-deserved break, but the next two weeks are shaping up to be particularly difficult with back-to-back long weekends for Easter and ANZAC Day.
“We urgently need 4500 people of all blood types [around the country] to book a donation before Easter Monday, and a further 7500 through to ANZAC Day, and we need them to come back for a second donation when they are next eligible, to ensure we can keep hospital fridges well stocked.”
The demand is particularly strong in Victoria, where 1000 donations are needed this week and 2000 next week
O negative makes up 15 per cent of hospital orders across Australia, but fewer than seven per cent of the population have the blood type.
“This rare blood type is in high demand because it can be given in emergency situations where a patient’s blood group is unknown,” Ms Stone said.
“It’s often stocked in ambulances and rescue helicopters to be used for trauma patients who can require huge quantities in a short amount of time.”
Ms Stone said donating was an excellent way to find out your blood type if you were unsure – with every blood type needed every day to help save lives.
“Blood will be needed by thousands of people this Easter weekend, including trauma and emergency patients, mums delivering babies, and people undergoing cancer treatment,” she said.
“A single blood donation can mean a lifetime for the person receiving it, and all it costs a donor is an hour of their time.”
To book a donation, visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.
