Red Cross Lifeblood issues urgent appeal for O and A type donors this Easter

AUSTRALIAN Red Cross Lifeblood is calling for an urgent increase in O and A type blood donations to protect national reserves during the Easter period.

The organisation requires more than 13,000 donations between 31 March and 10 April to support patients in emergencies and those undergoing ongoing medical treatment.

Lifeblood executive director donor experience Cath Stone said while donations increased following the Bondi attack in December, appointment numbers have fallen before the long weekend.

“The need for blood continues well beyond any single event,” Stone said.

“Blood is needed every day, and demand can spike around Easter due to increased road accidents and ongoing cancer treatment needs.”

Health officials are particularly seeking donors who first gave blood in December, as most are now eligible to donate again.

Of the first-time donors who attended centres following the December attack, about 23,000 carried the O or A blood types currently in high demand.

While O-negative blood remains the universal type for unknown patients in emergencies, O-positive is also used as a critical back-up to save time during urgent transfusions.

A single major trauma can require up to 100 blood donations to save one life, while other patients rely on regular supplies for cancer care or blood disorders.

Plasma donations are also required, making up about half of the total donations needed over the long weekend.

Fresh frozen plasma is used in emergency departments to replace clotting factors and control severe bleeding in patients.

Donation centres will remain open across the country on Good Friday and throughout the long weekend.

Potential donors can book by visiting the Lifeblood website, using the Lifeblood app or calling 13 14 95.