A call out has been issued for people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood, after Australian Red Cross Lifeblood revealed the Parramatta region still needs another 1200 volunteers for February alone.
Due to high numbers of people now isolating or currently unwell with COVID-19 in recent weeks, an estimated 20 per cent of the nation’s donors have been unable to donate on any given day.
“We’re issuing a call out for new and existing donors to come off the bench and help us in this current need for blood,” Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Account Manager for Western Sydney Ronny Maroun said.
“In particular, for the Parramatta territory another 1200 donors have been called upon to help fill appointments that are needed for the month of February.”
With up to 4,500 donations being cancelled every single day or not attended, Mr Maroun wants those who have never donated before to consider the impact their blood can have.
“We would love for people who have always thought about donating blood, or have sat on the fence and want to consider coming in, to donate. Now is the perfect opportunity to help fill those gaps,” Mr Maroun said.
“What we would encourage them to think about is the pinch of the needle could last three seconds but it could mean a lifetime to someone else.”
Lifeblood spokesperson Cath Stone said they had never seen such high numbers of no shows and cancellations in the middle of summer before.
“It’s a real challenge for blood supplies because even in the midst of a pandemic there are still cancer patients, trauma cases, pregnant women and unborn babies who all require donated blood,” Ms Stone said.
“If you are feeling well, and eligible to donate, your team needs you to get off the bench and help out now. You only need to be clear of COVID-19 symptoms for seven days to donate.”
Ms Stone wants potential volunteers to know that donating blood will only take an hour of their time and that every donation can help to save three lives.
Ian Wright, who has now donated blood 439 times, said that being a donor is an easy way to give something back to the community.
“There’s nothing more pleasing than knowing that someone is being able to survive because of you. Plus you get fed afterwards,” Mr Wright said.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.