THE Australian Red Cross blood bank in Werribee needs more than 600 donors to give blood to secure enough stock for cancer patients over the Christmas break.
There is concern that most people in Melbourne’s west will take a five-day weekend this Christmas which would lead to a significant drop in blood stocks.
The Red Cross is running a ‘blood blitz’ to raise awareness and residents are urged to make an appointment to give blood.
Spokesman Shaun Inguanzo said platelets were vital to the treatment of cancer patients but only had a five-day shelf life
“This means anything collected on the Friday before the Christmas long weekend will expire or be depleted by Boxing Day.”
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury (pictured) joined the call for more donors at the Bridge Road centre last week.
“Members of my family have received blood transfusions so I know first hand how the simple act of donating blood can be a matter of life and death. It only takes a few minutes, but donating blood saves lives.”
More details: donateblood.com.au
