AUSTRALIA needs more blood donations following a sudden spike in demand, as the Blood Service continues to battle a debilitating winter flu season.
In response to the situation, the Blood Service will today activate its Blood Signal – a digital ‘Bat Signal’ appealing for donors – for the first time in almost two years
Nationally, the Blood Service is running low across all major blood groups, but is particularly worried about stocks of O Negative (less than two days’ supply) and O Positive (less than three days’ supply).
“O Negative is the universal blood type that can be given to anyone in an emergency, and O Positive is the most common blood type in the country: more than 40 percent of Australians would need O Positive blood in the event of a transfusion,” Blood Service spokesman Shaun Inguanzo said.
“The problem is that up to 1000 donors a week are cancelling their donations due to cold and flu symptoms, and to make matters worse, we’ve had a recent spike in demand for blood.”
Mr Inguanzo said the organisation would now activate its Blood Signal on social media – one of the quickest and most effective ways of reaching new donors.
“The Blood Signal means that we need donors now,” he said.
“We liken the Blood Signal to the Bat Signal: that is, we hope Australian donors will see it as a call-to-action to rise to the occasion.
“Even if you can’t donate, you can share the Blood Signal to encourage friends to give in your place thanks to the power of social media.
“Every donation you make or help encourage can help save three lives, including those of cancer patients, unborn babies, mothers giving birth, road trauma victims, burns victims, and people who need kidney dialysis.”
To learn more about the Blood Signal, visit bloodsignal.com.au
To make an appointment to give blood, call 13 14 95 or book online.
Source: Australian Red Cross Blood Service
