Australian Red Cross Lifeblood needs 22,000 additional blood and plasma donors over the next fortnight.

Hospital demand is up 7 percent along with around 10,000 fewer people donating now than during the peak of the pandemic. 

Blood types needed:

Donate Blood: O negative, A negative, A positive, B negative

Donate Plasma: O positive, B positive, AB positive, AB negative

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an immediate appeal for 22,000 extra people to donate blood or plasma in the next fortnight.

All blood and plasma types are needed, but in particular O-, A-, A+ and B- blood types are all running low.

Lifeblood Executive Director Cath Stone said elective surgery is driving the increase, as busy hospitals tackle a pandemic-driven backlog, alongside declining donor numbers.

“Hospital demand is up 7 per cent compared to this time last year and we have around 10,000 fewer people donating now than we saw at the peak of the pandemic,” Ms Stone said.

“We need more donors to roll up their sleeves to ensure fridges are well stocked. We have 22,000 extra appointments to fill during the next two weeks.

“Even if you don’t know what blood type you have, we still need you – we need all blood types every day.

“31,000 donations are needed every week across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy and a host of other situations.

“As we continue to ride the wave of changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s essential that blood and plasma donations continue.”

New and existing donors are welcome. To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the free Donate Blood app.