With another public holiday coming up, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling on locals to roll up their sleeves and donate.
The September school holidays combined with the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and last week’s National Day of Mourning, mean blood supplies are running low.
Lifeblood’s Belinda Smetioukh says having two public holidays close together has been challenging.
“We’re seeing low appointment numbers so we’re really encouraging anyone to come in and donate anytime over the next week including on the public holiday.”
“In particular A and O type blood are in demand but any blood type is absolutely needed for patients in hospitals right across the state.”
In Mackay, 100 blood and plasma donors are needed in the next week.
Ms Smetioukh says every donation can be life-changing.
“One in three of us will actually need a blood donation or a blood product in our lifetime, but right now only one in 30 people donate so the numbers aren’t quite where they need to be.”
