An Australian Red Cross Lifeblood pop-up donor centre visited Tarneit for the first time last week.
Residents were able to book in to donate at blood at the pop-up centre, which was based at the Dianella Community Centre from Monday through to Friday.
Lifeblood spokesperson Erin Lagoudakis said the team enjoyed meeting local donors.
The Lifeblood pop-centre will return to Tarneit again later this year from April 11 to 15, July 11 to 15 and October 10 to 14.
“A blood donation is needed every 18 seconds and we need more donors now than ever before which is why our pop-up donor centre visits have been expanded to include Tarneit,” Ms Lagoudakis said.
One in three Australians will need blood or a blood product in their lifetime, but only one in 30 citizens donates blood.
Donated blood goes to support cancer patients, those involved in road accidents, pregnant women, newborn babies and others.
The Werribee Donor Centre is also seeking more volunteer blood donors.
Lifeblood spokesperson Stephanie Reynolds said that platelets in donated blood only lasted for seven days.
“It takes four blood donations to make just one bag of platelets, which plays a vital role in clotting and cancer treatment,” she said.
“We need a constant, fresh supply across the holidays to meet the needs of patients.”
To book in to make a blood donation at the pop-up donor centre in Tarneit or the Werribee Blood Donor Centre, visit lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95 or download the free Donate Blood app.
By Alesha Capone
