Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling for more Hobart residents to enlist as blood or plasma donors this ANZAC Day long weekend.
With ANZAC Day falling on a Tuesday this year, Lifeblood is concerned many donors will take a four-day long weekend, which may challenge blood stocks.
Hobart Donor Centre still have an extra 180 appointments available for people to give blood or plasma throughout the extra-long weekend and has issued a call to arms for donors new and old to volunteer an hour of their time to donate, in true ANZAC spirit.
Lifeblood spokesperson Leanne Mangano said some of the earliest Australian blood donors were ANZACs.
“Blood donation in Australia was largely developed in the early 20th Century to meet Australia’s wartime needs and save the lives of Australian soldiers,” Leanne said.
“More than 100 years later and the need for blood is greater than ever, and it never takes a break.”
Leanne said donor centres around the country would be open throughout the extra-long weekend to meet patient demand for blood, with Hobart open across the whole weekend and on ANZAC Day.
“In particular at Hobart donor centre we need people to donate on Sunday 23rd and on Anzac Day itself, and what better way to honour our fallen heroes than to help save the lives of Australians in need”, Leanne said.
“One blood product called platelets, crucial to help treat cancer patients has a shelf-life of just seven days, which means we need a daily supply.
“Each donation can save up to three lives, including those of young children battling cancer, burns victims, road trauma patients, and unborn babies.
“Donating blood can enable a mother, a grandfather, or neighbour to spend more time with their families.”
One hour of your time donating blood this ANZAC Day long weekend could mean a lifetime to the person who receives it.
To book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donateblood App.
