Be a little Aussie bleeder for Easter

Blood donors Michael Natoli and Jessica McConnell. Photo by Damjan Janevski.

Be a good egg this Easter and give blood.

That’s the message from the Werribee Red Cross Blood Service as it tries to overcome an annual blood donation shortfall due to two long weekends within the month thanks to Labour Day and Easter.

The Werribee Donor Centre needs another 800 blood donors over the next four weeks to help meet patient needs.

Blood service spokeswoman Stephanie Reynolds said Australians overestimated how many people donate blood, and underestimated how much blood was in demand.

“Blood donations don’t last forever. In fact, the red cell component of a donation only lasts 42 days,” she said.

The Werribee donor centre is at 7 Bridge Street, Werribee. To donate, call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au