Community
6 December, 2021
Lifeblood Is Now Urging Cairns Residents To Donate Blood This Holiday Season!
THE Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has instigated a call to arms to boost blood donor ranks this holiday season.
BLOOD donations return to Cairns on December 6 after a plasma-only season due to lack of flight and transport availability during the pandemic.
In early November, Lifeblood announced a record-high spike in blood donation “no shows,” with half of the nation’s blood donation appointments not being attended.
A new campaign is urging people to take ‘the Bloody Oath’ and make a promise to donate blood; only in Cairns, at least an extra 240 blood donors are needed for the next month.
The act of donating blood is taking ‘the Bloody Oath’, and donors are welcome to help spread the word by sharing a social post with their bandaged arm up after their donation.
Lifeblood’s Executive Director of Donor Services, Cath Stone, said they need the support of new donors to help cover the patients across the country.
“We are extremely grateful that donors have continued to roll up their sleeves during the pandemic and ensure patients receive the blood and blood products they need, but our existing donors can’t do it alone,” Ms Stone said.
Spokesperson for Lifeblood Belinda Smetioukh said they are pleased to receive blood and plasma donations from Cairns again and would like to thank all donors who have donated plasma over the past 18 months.
“Over the past 18 months, donors in Cairns have made 14,871 plasma donations, supporting the growing need for plasma in Australia. But with demand for plasma at an alltime high, we are encouraging more locals to become plasma donors for life,” said Mrs Smetioukh.
“We also look forward to seeing our wonderful blood donors again, with the Cairns centre needing 60 blood donors as well as 190 plasma donors every week.
“Our North Queensland donors are already some of the most generous donors in Australia, and we look forward to their continued support of both blood and plasma donations,” she said.
Lifeblood is encouraging Cairns residents to save lives this holiday season by donating blood.
Call 13 14 95, visit www.lifeblood.com.au, or download the free DonateBlood app to book an appointment.
