Blood donors needed after hundreds of Queenslanders cancel appointments to donate

The Australian Red Cross blood service Lifeblood is appealing for donors to come forward after hundreds of Queenslanders cancel their appointments.

More than 1100 Queenslanders have cancelled or failed to turn up to appointments to donate blood during the past week, triggering concerns about potential shortages of blood and plasma stocks.

While the Australian Red Cross blood service, Lifeblood, saw a surge in Queenslanders giving blood after an appeal for donations during the state’s coronavirus lockdown earlier in the year, appointments have dropped dramatically in the past three months as restrictions have eased for Queenslanders.

PANDEMIC’S SILVER LINING IN QLD

HAS THE PANDEMIC MADE US KINDER OR MORE TRIBALISTIC

WANTED – RECOVERED COVID-19 PATIENTS TO GIVE BLOOD

At the same time, elective surgery has been ramped up again following the cancellation of non-urgent operations during the early stages of the pandemic when the numbers of coronavirus cases were rising.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood needs about 2400 more donations in the next fortnight to prevent blood and plasma stocks running low. Picture: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

Across Australia, about 31,000 donations are needed weekly to maintain blood and plasma stocks at a healthy level.

A Lifeblood Queensland spokeswoman said that because of recent appointment cancellations, Queensland needed about 2400 more donations in the next fortnight to prevent blood and plasma stocks running low.

Blood and plasma are particularly needed for patients experiencing trauma, such as car accidents, those requiring major surgery, undergoing cancer treatment or experiencing complications in pregnancy.

The Lifeblood spokeswoman said donor centres were safe to visit, with strict social distancing, cleaning and donor eligibility measures in place.

Only healthy people are eligible to give blood and plasma and Lifeblood has introduced even more stringent wellness checks prior to appointments, including temperature checking.

To make an appointment to give blood, visit lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95 or download the Donate Blood app.