Australians are being urged to use some of their Christmas holiday time to give blood, as the Red Cross warns of dire shortages across the country.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood needs 1600 donations per day to meet current demand of whole blood, platelets, and plasma through to January 2.
Sixteen blood donation centres around the country will also keep their doors open on New Year’s Day during a time when donations traditionally drop off post-Christmas.
Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Services Cath Stone said while there was a great response to the Christmas “blood blitz” thousands more donations are still needed.
“These 8000 blood donors have the potential to help nearly 24,000 Australian patients relying on blood products during this time,” Ms Stone said.
“Donating blood takes about an hour but it’s a gift that will make a real difference to a patient’s life.”
Serious injuries, surgery, birth complications, and cancer treatments are just some of the reasons why an Australian will rely on a blood donation every 18 seconds over the next week.
Here’s how many additional donors will be needed in each state every day:
ACT: 70
SA: 8
NSW: 55
TAS: 60
VIC: 600
QLD: 25
DARWIN, NT: 10
To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, or download the free Donate Blood app.