new donor: Zoe Mayberry gives blood for the first time at the Ballarat Donor Centre, which has 200 donor appointments waiting to be filled this month. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
THE Ballarat Donor Centre needs the public’s help this month, with nearly 200 available blood donation appointments that need to be filled.
Community relations officer Mary-Anne Giovanetti said the need for blood never stopped.
“Over the next four weeks we have only 72 per cent of appointments filled. This figure is below the state average of 81 per cent,” Ms Giovanetti said.
“The amount of blood collected at those appointments will be enough to save up to 600 lives.
“Appointments just after lunch are the hardest for us to fill. If anyone is thinking about donating, they could use their school holiday time to come in.”
Donated blood goes to help patients with cancer and other blood diseases, surgical patients, premature babies, pregnant women and road accident victims.“Our regular donors are doing a fantastic job, and they keep coming back every 12 weeks to donate blood,” Ms Giovanetti said. However they can’t do it alone and need your help to save lives.”
Donors can call 13 14 95 to make an appointment or visit donateblood.com.au.
The Ballarat Donor Centre is located at 601-603 Latrobe street, Ballarat and is open: Monday: 1:30pm - 7:30pm; Tuesday: 12 noon - 7:30pm; Wednesday: 11:30am - 6:30pm; Thursday: 10:30am - 5:30pm; Friday: 7:30am - 2:30pm
