While Australians enjoy an extra 24 hours at the end of this month, Lifeblood Australia is urging an extra 5,500 people to donate blood or plasma.
The bonus day not only means an extra day where patients need care in hospitals but it also gets rid of one of the greatest barriers to donating blood – a lack of time.
Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone, says Bendigo’s centre has 20 appointments to fill before the end of Feburary!
“Around 33,000 blood donations are needed every week to help a range of seriously ill Australians,” Stone says.
“This year, we have an extra day of that need, requiring more than 5,500 extra blood and plasma donations.
“We are urging people to make an appointment to donate blood or plasma so they can use their extra day – either now or later – to save lives.
“Cancer patients, pregnant women, road trauma victims, premature babies, and people with blood disorders need blood every single day, including leap days.”
As part of Lifeblood’s partnership with the Cancer Council for World Cancer Day this month, everyone who donates blood or plasma throughout February will receive a limited-edition Beci Orpin designed daffodil bandage.
Stone says people living with cancer would be the biggest users of donated blood in Australia this leap day.
“Around 2,000 of the donations made on February 29 will be used for cancer treatments. With 1 in 2 Australians expected to be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, the chances are you’ll be helping someone you know to tackle cancer.”
To book a donation visit lifeblood.com.au, download the free donate blood app or call 13 14 95.
