Red Cross issues urgent call for blood donations

RESIDENTS of the Northern Rivers are being called upon to donate blood this winter as Australian Red Cross Lifeblood says supplies are dwindling.

Winter often sees a drop in regular donations due to colds and flu, but the demand for blood remains constant.

The Northern Rivers region requires 60 donors daily to fill appointments at locations including Byron Bay, Kingscliff, Ballina, Murwillumbah, Lismore, Casino, and Yamba.

Lifeblood Blood donor services manager Scott Morrison said there was an urgent need for donations during the colder months.

“We’re urging people to roll up a sleeve and donate blood or plasma across the winter period to help us meet the growing hospital demand,” Morrison said.

“Blood and blood products will be needed every 18 seconds this winter by people in surgery, cancer patients, those with blood disorders, women having babies, and individuals involved in road incidents.”

“Blood is complex and cannot be synthetically produced, so we rely on the generosity of donors to ensure patients have access to the blood they need when they need it.

“We urge everyone who is healthy and well to please get into a blood donation centre or pop-up location this winter and make a life-changing difference to a patient in need.”

In June, Red Cross Lifeblood introduced a new real-time blood supply tracker webpage. The tool aims to motivate more people to donate, particularly when their blood type is running low.

Red Cross Lifeblood research shows that 75 per cent of Australians would donate blood if they knew their blood type was needed.

“The Northern Rivers NSW blood donor community always responds when we call for donors, and we’re confident they will again,” Morrison said.

For those able to donate, appointments can be booked by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au, or using the DonateBlood app.

Real-time updates on blood supplies can be viewed on the Lifeblood Blood Supply Update website.

The Ballina Pop-up Donor Centre is available until Tuesday, August 20.

For a full list of Northern Rivers donation options, head to lifeblood.com.au