Australian Red Cross Blood Services concerned as Junee appointments down for August appeal

Only two appointments have been made for the centre that will appear in the Ex-Services Memorial Club Car Park on August 21.

At least another 28 appointments are needed.

“Winter is always a harder time to get people through the doors, because our regular donors might have been sick, so they can’t donate for at least seven days after that,” said Jessica Willet from the Australian Red Cross Blood Services.

After a successful push at the beginning of the year, national levels are sitting well.

But blood’s short shelf life means that can quickly change.

“Whole blood only last 42 days, but on average it’s been used a lot faster than that,” Ms Willet said.

O-negative is the universal that can be used in any emergency situation, whereas 40 per cent of the population has O-positive, making it the most common.

“Every donation helps save three people, so we aim for 30 donors because that will reach 90 people.”

If all appointments are filled, a total of 14.1 litres will be collected on the day. 

“The supply is stable but our appointments are down,” Ms Willet said.

“We need to keep supply from dipping again, because it can be great one month but in just four weeks we can find ourselves down again.”

Aside from illness, the biggest reason people avoid giving blood is fright.

“I had a fear of needles and I set myself a challenge seven years ago to give blood, and it cured me. What’s a pinch to save that many lives?”

Australia has one of the highest standards for blood donation in the world, meaning many fail to meet the strict eligibility criteria.

But past ineligibility does not mean a lifetime ban.

“There are 300 reasons why people can’t give blood but most are temporary,” Ms Willet said.

“Don’t rule yourself out, if you’re between 18 and 70 and healthy, check again.”