Thousands of blood donors urgently needed

AUSTRALIAN Red Cross Lifeblood urgently needs an additional 6,000 people to donate blood this week to replenish supplies depleted by ex-Cyclone Alfred.

An unprecedented number of donor centre closures and a surge in hospital orders preceding the Queensland emergency has drastically reduced the organisation’s blood stocks this week.

A major boost in donations is needed now to ensure blood continues to be available for patients in need.

Lifeblood acting chief executive officer Stuart Chesneau said his organisation was particularly focused on replenishing stocks of platelets, which are made from blood donations and have a shelf-life of just five days after they are tested.

“We pre-emptively sent extra supplies of blood products, including platelets, to hospitals in the impacted region ahead of Alfred landing, but many of those platelets are now close to expiring.

“They are used to help people undergoing chemotherapy or to stop bleeding during surgery or after a major trauma.”

Lifeblood was forced to cancel 3,500 appointments with the closure of 22 donor centres in Queensland and northern New South Wales between Thursday last week and Sunday.

A further 330 appointments had to be cancelled on Monday this week.

“Between the shortfall in donations, combined with the pre-emptive drain on our blood stocks, it means we now urgently need to replenish blood supplies right across the country,” Mr Chesneau said.

“We’re asking anyone who may be eligible to donate to book an appointment now, and we also need new donors to step up.

“Our regular donors have seen us through the Christmas and New Year period, and many won’t be eligible to donate blood for a while. New donors will be needed to see us through the coming weeks.

“If you’ve been waiting to find a reason to become a donor or have been thinking about coming back to donate, this is the time to act.”

Almost 4,000 bags of blood are needed by hospitals every day across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, childbirth, and for a range of other medical conditions.

Lifeblood has reopened most donor centres in Queensland. However, with some roads and donors still cut off, blood collections in the state are not expected to return to normal for some time.

“Understandably, many donors will be unable to get to their appointments as they focus on their families and homes in the coming days and weeks,” Mr Chesneau said.

“We have therefore opened up additional appointments in other states to help make up any shortfall.”

To book a donation, phone 13 14 95, head to lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood App.