Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is putting a call out for new and former blood, plasma and platelets donors across the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne to step up as cancellations remain at 50 per cent and need for blood products is the highest it has ever been, as Matthew Sims discovers.
Trudy Smith began donating when she was 18.
“I think they had the mobile blood banks at university,” she said.
Ms Smith said she saw her donations as volunteer work.
“I like to do it because it’s helping other people,” she said.
Initially donating blood, Ms Smith has now been donating plasma for the past 15 years at a number of donation centres, including the Airport West centre.
“I find it very easy to do,” she said.
“It’s nice to think other people are benefiting.”
Ms Smith said almost anyone can donate and it is quick and painless.
“The staff are very helpful,” she said.
Donors can make three different types of donations when they visit a donation centre.
Whole blood donations take about 15 minutes, but donors must wait three months between donations.
In terms of plasma, donors can donate for about 45 minutes every two weeks because the red blood sells are transported back into the body and less recovery time is needed.
Plasma products last for about 42 days, while platelets only last for seven days.
Platelets are used for trauma events, clotting issues and cancer treatments and can only be given by men who have donated plasma before.
Ms Stone said they were hoping for a number of donors to roll up their sleeves across the Werribee, Airport West and Bundoora centres during June, as well as at the Sunshine, Melton and Williamstown pop-up centres.
“We need just over 3000 whole blood appointments on its own,” she said.
“You can almost double that if we’re thinking about plasma as well.
Ms Stone said donated blood could travel anywhere in the country.
“You may come in and do a donation at Werribee, it could end up at Royal Melbourne,” she said.
“Just as equally, it could be sent right up to far north Queensland depending on your blood type and what availability is needed.”
Ms Stone said centres were still experiencing a 50 per cent cancellation rate of appointments.
“What is very difficult to do is to replace appointments on the day,” she said.
Ms Stone said everyone should consider donating blood if they are eligible to do so.
“One in three of us will need it our lifetime,” she said.
“You don’t want it to be today that you find out need it, but you didn’t know that it was part of the critical supply of the nation’s healthcare system.”
Ms Stone said the Lifeblood team was looking forward to National Blood Donor Week [June 13-19] and World Blood Donor Day [June 14].
“What we do see is a rally cry around blood donation and education,” she said.
“It’s always a good week for us in June and it really gives us a bit of a lift.”
Ms Stone said the Lifeblood team was grateful for donors in Melbourne’s west.
“The key message from us is always a thank you for the support,” she said.
“We need to make donation accessible.
“Most of our metro centres are now open seven days a week, later in the evenings.”
Ms Stone said anyone who may have been ineligible a few years ago should look again at the eligibility requirements.
“If you thought you were ineligible, always check.
“We are constantly reviewing and updating our eligibility rules.”
“If you’re between 18 and 76, feel fit and healthy, check online or give us a call and we’d love to see you in centre if you are eligible.”
Lifeblood spokesperson Genevieve Dobson said increased accessibility to a donation time slot for people in Melbourne’s west has arrived, with the Werribee donation centre now open every day of the week.
“Werribee has been operating six days a week but the feedback we’ve had from donors is they would like more opportunities and flexibility,” she said.
“We anticipate the extended opening hours will enable Lifeblood to collect an additional 50 to 60 donations every week, which is great news for patients.”
Ms Dobson said there were about 500 appointments to fill in the first week of June.
“The centre has recently undergone a facelift, with additional couches and an open and inviting space to help enhance the donation experience,” she said.
The Williamstown pop-up donation centre at the Williamstown Town Hall will be open every day from Monday, June 20 until Friday, July 1.
The Melton pop-up donation centre at the Melton Community Centre will be open every day from Monday, June 6 until Friday, June 17.
The Sunshine pop-up donation centre at the Croatian Catholic Centre will be open from Monday, July 4 to Friday, July 8.
Details: lifeblood.com.au or 13 14 95
