Australian Red Cross Lifeblood says there’s an urgent need for blood over the new year period.
The organisation is asking people to make a life-changing blood donation as the year draws to a close.
In Queensland, 1350 more blood donations are still required.
They need blood, plasma, and platelets to help ease demand from patients during the critical holiday period.
Lifeblood executive director of donor experience, Cath Stone said the organisation was buoyed by the response to its Christmas blood blitz – but hundreds of donations are still urgently required.
“Australians have rallied to donate blood and plasma over the festive season and support patients who rely on blood products for their life-saving treatments,” Ms Stone said.
She said maintaining supplies during the holidays was always a seasonal challenge for Lifeblood.
“As we head into another long weekend, we historically see a drop in the number of people donating.
These blood and plasma donors have the potential to help patients relying on blood products during this time.”
Someone somewhere in Australia will rely on blood every 18 seconds over the coming days whether that is for serious accidents, surgery, complicated births, or cancer treatment.
“Donating blood takes about an hour but it’s a gift that will make a real difference to a patient’s life,” Ms Stone said.
Donor centres are open throughout the New Year break, with 24 donor centres around the country opening their doors on New Year’s Day.
To book a donation – and check which donor centres are open over the holiday season – call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, or download the free Donate Blood app.
