The Australian Red Cross Blood Service in Cleveland needs 130 extra donors to give blood during the Cleveland mobile blood donor centre visit as winter takes its toll on national blood stocks.
... our national blood stocks come under real pressure. Donors who have a cold or the flu are unable to give blood until they are well again, so during winter our blood stocks take a real hit.
- Wes Thomas
Wes Thomas from the Blood Service urged new donors to roll up their sleeves to give blood this winter, when the Blood Service loses more than 1000 donations a day due to colds and flu.
“During cold and flu season, our national blood stocks come under real pressure,” he said.
“Donors who have a cold or the flu are unable to give blood until they are well again, so during winter our blood stocks take a real hit.”
25,000 blood donations are needed across Australia each week just to meet patient needs, but colds and flu prevent more than 1000 donations a day during winter.
“The need for blood never goes away, which is why we are putting the call out for new blood donors during winter”, Mr Thomas said.
“Last year 797 blood donations were made in Cleveland, saving the lives of 2391 people. With demand for blood and products increasing, we need to collect even more this year,” he said.
Giving blood takes less than one hour and each donation can save three lives.
Blood donations regularly assist those suffering from cancer, as well as mothers to be, traumatic accident victims, surgical and orthopaedic patients, and those suffering from medical problems such as heart, stomach and kidney disease.
To give a blood donation in Cleveland, contact 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au.
The mobile blood donor centre will be in Wynyard Street this week until Friday and again on August 26.
