Urgent call for blood donors as supplies reach critical levels

LIFEBLOOD is appealing for an extra 9500 donations of O positive and O negative blood across the country, with the largest number needed in Victoria as supplies drop to their lowest point since 2023. Over 3500 donations are required in Victoria – or 500 a day - to continue to meet patient demand. Lifeblood executive director of strategy and growth, Stuart Chesneau, said they are currently seeing the highest rates of people rescheduling or cancelling their appointments since June last year. “Around 9000 appointments are cancelled, rescheduled or not attended each week in Victoria at the moment,” he said. “But the need for blood does not stop. "We need people of all blood types to donate every day, especially O type. “If you’ve never donated before and don’t know your blood type, coming in to donate is a great way to find out, and you get the chance to save a life.” A blood donation appointment takes about an hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes. “An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life,” Mr Chesneau said. "Plus, you’ll give Lifeblood’s blood supplies a much-needed boost as we head into the winter months." Each day Lifeblood issues close to 10,000 blood products and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand, including more than 2500 for Victoria. Wangaratta local Kat Megens is part of the team of blood donors who give from the heart to those who need it. Kat said as a midwife she sees firsthand the need for blood donations. "I have been donating since I was 18 years old and my whole family takes part in the life saving tradition," she said. Lifeblood spokesperson Shae Burns said thank you to the local people who have responded to the appeal so far and booked an appointment to donate at Lifeblood’s Wangaratta Donor Centre. "There are still appointments available now and in the coming weeks," she said. "If you are feeling well, are aged between 18 and 75 and can spare an hour of your time to donate, please call 13 14 95 or book on the Lifeblood website. "Every donation can save up to three lives.”

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