Michaela Meade
The ‘perfect storm’ of the COVID-19 pandemic has led blood donor numbers to plummet, and Hume and Whittlesea residents being asked to roll up their sleeves.
Australian Red Cross’ Lifeblood is an organisation that provides support to Australians through blood, plasma, transplantation and biological products.
Lifeblood spokesperson Jessica Willet said that currently one in two blood donation appointments with the organisation are not being attended.
“Donor numbers have plummeted recently due to a perfect storm of people waiting on COVID-19 test results or quarantining, many being away with the reopening of borders, and donors wanting to spend more time with family and friends,” she said.
“With record numbers of people unwell and having to isolate, we are seeing very high cancellation rates. But COVID does not stop the need for blood.
“Right now, we need others to take the place of those who can’t donate.”
Ms Willet said that while one in three people will need blood in their lifetime, only one in 30 people donates.
Ms Willet said in the two weeks to Australia Day, an extra 1000 blood and plasma donors were needed at Hume and Whittlesea’s closest centres at Bundoora and Airport West.
There will also be a pop-up donor centre established in Craigieburn on Monday, February 7 and Thursday, February 10.
Ms Willet said 90 appointments were still available.
She said that there is no substitute for blood, which is in constant demand and a “critical resource”.
“There are currently patients involved in road accidents who need large volumes of blood for transfusions, cancer patients who need support to survive their treatment, women who experience complications while giving birth and many others who rely on this precious resource,” Ms Willet said.
“Every blood donation can help save three lives.”
Details: 13 14 95, lifeblood.com.au or Donate Blood mobile app
