RESIDENTS with O and A blood types are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and give blood this winter, with the Lifeblood Mildura donor centre in need of at least 30 donors.
Lifeblood has reported that about 2000 donors a week are cancelling and rescheduling appointments Australia wide due to cold and flu symptoms, and the situation is expected to get worse in coming weeks.
Lifeblood’s Emily Granland said blood donations are needed more than ever as the cold and flu season hits, combined with ongoing COVID-19 cases.
“Winter is a challenging time for blood collections because people are not able donate if they are feeling unwell,” she said.
“In the next three weeks there are almost 80 appointments to donate available in Mildura, so I encourage you to donate if you can.”
Ms Granland said they are looking for all blood donations but especially O and A types.
“O and A blood groups make up more than 80 per cent of the population and are therefore the blood types most needed by patients.”
Ms Garland said blood donations saved lives.
“Blood and blood products are used to help people including trauma and emergency patients, women in childbirth and people being treated for cancer,” she said.
“Please consider donating blood because one blood donation saves up to three lives.
“If you have booked an appointment, but cannot make it, please give us as much notice as possible so we can make that time available to someone else.”
The Mildura donor centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and visitors can book by visiting lifeblood.com.au, downloading the Donate Blood app or by calling 131 495.