The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has urged everyone to consider donating blood and plasma this spring, as demand for blood products continues to increase.
“Australian Red Cross Lifeblood recently launched a new campaign calling on 100,000 Australians to ‘find their reason’ to donate,“ Ms Broad said.
“I urge people to be involved because these donations are literally life-saving.”
Ms Broad recently donated blood and said it was a relatively simple thing that many people could do.
“Lifeblood needs more than 1.7 million donations every year to meet the demand for blood and blood products,” Ms Broad said.
“The Red Cross reports that demand for blood is at a 12-year high and plasma demand is at record levels. Around 33,000 donations are needed every week to meet demand – this is one donation every 18 seconds.
“Just over 560,000 active donors currently maintain the blood and plasma supply for our population of almost 27 million people. New donors are crucial to meet the needs of our growing population.”
Ms Broad said Victorians were among the most generous blood donors in Australia. More than 7000 Victorians have made more than 100 blood donations – more than anywhere else in the country.
“Blood provided by donors is used in a wide range of treatments.
“These include patients who have had surgery, those receiving cancer treatment, women in childbirth, people with blood disorders, and trauma patients.”
Ms Broad encouraged everyone to visit www.lifeblood.com.au
“This is a great chance to check your eligibility and donate,” Ms Broad said.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au