Residents are being urged to consider donating blood at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre in Werribee, to help with demand over the holiday period.
Lifeblood spokesperson Genevieve Dobson predicts the centre will need about 270 donors, particularly between December 26 and January 6.
“Christmas is the season for giving, and what could be a better gift than giving blood, which is needed somewhere in Australia every 18 seconds,” she said.
“Donating blood doesn’t cost anything, but for a patient it is life changing. For some, it could mean spending another Christmas with family and friends. For others, it will be the key to a fuller life.”
Ms Dobson said the need for blood never stops, and many people in hospital over the Christmas and New Year period will rely on donated blood due to serious accidents, surgery, complicated childbirths, and plasma treatment.
“With many donors planning to travel over Christmas and the summer holiday period, we are urging people to donate so we can ensure that patients in hospital who need blood every day will receive the blood and blood products they need. More than 80 per cent of the population has an O or A blood group meaning these blood types are most in demand by hospitals,” Ms Dobson said.
“We’re urging Australians to book a donation this festive season and make a huge difference to someone who needs it.
“Blood donation is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give, not just at Christmas time but all-year round.”
The Werribee Blood Donor Centre will remain open through the festive season, including public holidays, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Details: 7 Bridge Street, Werribee.
