BLOOD: it’s the one essential of life you don’t want to run out of.
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But the Red Cross Blood Service has a critical shortage of O-Negative and O-Positive blood types with just two days’ supply around the nation.
Donor numbers typically dip during winter months as cold and flu symptoms wipe out up to 1000 donors a day.
Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokesman Colin Littlejohn said an extra 10 donors a day for O-type blood and plasma were needed at the Ballarat Donor Centre before next Friday.
And 8000 extra donors were needed to step inside blood banks across Australia to help prevent a blood shortage.
“These two blood types are essential: O-Negative is the universal type given to patients in emergency situations,” Mr Littlejohn said.
“And O Positive is the type that 39 percent of Australians have – and therefore the most type needed – should they require a blood transfusion.
Student Joshua Pyalanda answered the call this week and rolled up his sleeve to donate plasma as he has done many times before.
”I started donating blood last year, then they asked about plasma which is more needed for my blood type. I just thought it was a pretty easy and good thing to do and something that could really help another person,” he said.
Each blood donation potentially saves three lives.
“My brother used to donate blood really regularly and he asked me if I had ever done it and I hadn’t, so we just went and did it,” Mr Pyalanda said.
Some potential donors are put off because of a fear of needles, but Mr Pyalanda assured them it looked worse that it really was.
“It’s just a little sting when they put the needle in, and a tiny sting when they take it out. Apart from that it doesn’t hurt and it’s not as bad as it looks.”
Mr Littlejohn said maintaining winter blood supplies was always a challenge.
“The number of people suffering cold and flu symptoms increases, limiting the number of regular donors who are able to give,” he said.
People who have cold and fly symptoms can donate blood seven days after making a full recovery.