Urgent donations not in vein

Every day 2400 blood and plasma donations are needed in both NSW and Victoria to prevent shortages, with 34 percent used to treat cancer and blood diseases and 18 percent used in heart, organ and non-orthopaedic surgeries.

In Australia, one in three people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime; with more than 29,000 donations needed every week to meet demand.

Currently Lifeblood Australia is appealing for an extra 9,500 donations of O positive and O negative blood across the country in the next seven days, with the largest number needed in Victoria.

3,500 donations are required in Victoria, or 500 a day, to continue to meet patient demand as O type blood supplies drop to their lowest point since 2023.

O+ and O- blood types are most frequently needed because they can be used in emergency situations when a patient’s blood type is unknown.

Whilst there is no permanent blood bank in Corowa/Rutherglen, a mobile van will visit Uncle Toby’s in Wahgunyah on August 12 and 13, with residents also being urged to visit a donor centre in a neighbouring town and donate to help save lives.

Between June 5 and 18, the Wangaratta Donor Centre at 17a Norton Street has 35 appointments available, Shepparton Donor Centre at unit 3, 210 - 216 Corio St has 105 appointments and Albury Donor Centre at 528 David St has 145.

Giving blood is as easy as taking an hour out of your day, visiting a blood bank and getting a coffee and biscuits afterwards, with the knowledge that this act may save up to three peoples lives.

Appointments take about an hour, but the donation itself only lasts up to 10 minutes.

Donors give 470ml, which is about eight percent of the average adult's blood volume. However within 24-48 hours of donating, the body will have fully restored its blood volume.

Deputy Director of Emergency Services at The Alfred, Dr Rohan Laging said The Alfred had the busiest emergency and trauma centre in the southern hemisphere and every day around 200 bags of blood enabled life-saving interventions.

“Some of our patients may need 30 or 40 bags of blood,” Dr Laging said.

“That’s 30 or 40 donations from individuals in the community. Blood donors truly are lifesavers.”

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.

An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life.

To make a donation, call 13 14 95 or book online at lifeblood.com.au.

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Sunday, 15th June 2025

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