This Christmas, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is asking the Logan City community to give the gift of life through blood and plasma donations.
Lifeblood Queensland spokesperson Belinda Smetioukh says stocks of platelets, a vital blood component, are under pressure during the holiday period.
“It’s so important to donate blood and plasma at this time of year,” Ms Smetioukh said. “A lot of us are away or busy with seasonal festivities, and giving blood or plasma isn’t always at top of mind, so we want to remind people that it’s absolutely vital for patients in need this Christmas.”
“At this time of year our stocks can easily come under pressure with people being busy or away, and people starting to travel again now, and looking forward over the next couple of weeks our appointments are quite low, but there are still patients in need who will be spending their Chritsmas in hospital and needing those blood and plasma products.
Over the next three weeks, Lifeblood will need over 9,000 donations across Queensland, Ms Smetioukh said.
“Currently only one in 30 people donate, but one in three of us will need blood or a blood product in our lifetime,” she said.
“Your blood or plasma donation will be the gift of life for Australian patients this Christmas, and will have a far-reaching impact not just on the lives you save, but also the lives of their loved ones.”
Ms Smetioukh said it takes four blood donations to make just one dose of platelets for patients, and they only last for five days, which means donors are constantly needed across the holidays to ensure cancer patients get this vital product.
Blood and plasma will also be needed by road accident patients, pregnant mums, and even premature babies every day over Christmas and New Year.
Ms Smetioukh says those who are interested can be reassured that it is an easy process to donate, and afterwards you can sit there knowing that you’ve saved some lives.
“It’s a very simple process to donate blood and plasma,” she said. “We say to allow about an hour for the donation, and it’s easiest to book ahead of time.”
“It’s important before you come to have something to eat and lots of water to drink and our facilities will allow you to stay and relax, and have refreshments afterwards.”
Christmas Donor, Robbie Mazlin
Logan City residents interested in donating can visit the donor centre located in Springwood, or donate at the mobile donor centre that travels around the region. To find the locations, jump onto lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.
“Blood and plasma donation is one of the most powerful gifts you can give someone, it saves lives,” Ms Smetioukh said.
Those who donate this festive season will receive a ‘Gift of Life’ gift tag to either ‘gift’ their donation to someone this Christmas or to encourage others to donate during this important time.
