Roll up your sleeve and help

Published 3:28pm 16 September 2020

Lifeblood is appealing to residents in the Moreton Bay Region to help boost critical supplies of blood and plasma.

The Australian Red Cross organisation, which collects and distributes blood and related products, needs more donors … many more donors.

When COVID-19 emerged, Lifeblood called out for more donations to prevent shortages. The initial response was good.

Stocks down

But, with a rising number of appointments being cancelled in recent months, stocks have fallen and help is needed.

Queensland particularly needs extra donors and the Lifeblood mobile donation centres are at sites across the region in the next six weeks.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has taken time to book in a blood donation, but we still need a steady flow of donors every day,” says Lifeblood spokesperson Belinda Smetioukh.

“Currently more donors are needed to ensure there are enough supplies for patients in need.”

31,000 donations are needed every week across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy and a host of other situations.

New normal

“The reality is the need for blood and blood products never stops so we urge all eligible Australians to make blood or plasma donation part of their new normal,” says Belinda.

“Lifeblood donor centres are safe to visit, with strict social distancing, cleaning and donor eligibility measures in place.

“Only healthy people are eligible to give blood and we have introduced even more stringent wellness checks prior to appointments, including temperature checking.”

To make an appointment to give blood or plasma, please call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95 or download the Donate Blood app.