Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is appealing to anyone with O-type blood to book a donation as the organisation’s levels of both O positive and O negative drop to their lowest point since 2023.
An extra 9,500 donations of O positive and O negative blood donors are needed in the next seven days to ensure Lifeblood can continue to meet the needs of patients across the country.
“Right now, we’re seeing the highest rates of people rescheduling or cancelling their appointments since June last year, and our O-type blood supplies are at their lowest level since October 2023,” Lifeblood executive director Stuart Chesneau said.
“Every day, we issue close to 10,000 blood transfusions and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand and we can’t do it without people donating,” Mr Chesneau said.
He said O positive and O negative are the blood types most frequently ordered by hospitals and can both be used in emergency situations.
“O negative is considered a ‘universal blood type’ and is often stocked in ambulances and rescue helicopters so it can be used to treat patients when their blood type is unknown, such as in times of trauma when large quantities of blood is needed in a short amount of time,” Mr Chesneau explained.
Fewer than seven per cent of the Australian population is O negative, making it one of the rarer blood types, however its versatility means it makes up 16 per cent of the blood ordered by hospitals.
He said that donations of O positive were equally as important.
“What many people don’t know is that O positive is as safe as O negative for the majority of emergency transfusions. Some 40 per cent of people in Australia have O positive blood, meaning they too can help save lives in emergency situations,” he added.
“We’re asking people of all blood types who are feeling healthy and well, especially those with O-type blood, to make an appointment.
“If you’ve never donated before and don’t know your blood type, coming in to donate is a great way to find out, and you get the chance to save a life.”
A blood donation appointment takes about an hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes.
“An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life. Plus, you’ll give Lifeblood’s blood supplies a much-needed boost as we head into the winter months,” Mr Chesneau said.
To make a donation, call 13 14 95 or book online at lifeblood.com.au or download the DonateBlood App.
