General News
10 August, 2026
Urgent plea for blood donations
ONGOING shortages of type O and A blood supplies have prompted an urgent call for an extra 150 Cairns people and 3000 across Queensland to donate immediately, as peak winter illness keeps donors away and emergency orders remain high.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood says recent appeals have prevented supplies falling to critical levels but have not been enough to replenish low supplies of O-positive and O-negative blood types, which are the types used in emergencies. A-positive blood stocks have also dropped in recent weeks.
Around 8000 units of blood, plasma and platelets are issued nationally as urgent or life-threatening orders every month, meaning they must be dispatched within as little as 30 minutes to support patients in critical situations.
At the same time, winter illness is hindering donations. A new Lifeblood survey found almost 40% of Australians have recently experienced cold, flu or respiratory illness symptoms.
Lifeblood spokeswoman Belinda Smetioukh said this wiped out potentially thousands of people from donating, as blood donors needed to be seven days clear of symptoms before they could donate.
“Nationally we’re seeing up to 1600 donation appointments sit empty every day, with many more people cancelling or rescheduling appointments,” she said.
“Even mild symptoms such as sniffles, sore throats and headaches make people temporarily ineligible to give blood – and this can severely impact the availability of donors during winter months.
“We’re urging anyone who is fit and well to book an appointment now and anyone recovering from illness to donate as soon as they can.
“Only three per cent of Australians donate blood. We’re asking people not to leave it to others. Our regular donors alone cannot sustain supplies through winter and we need more people to step up.”
