Winter sniffles are doing more than keeping people home, they’re also leaving Australia’s blood banks running low.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent appeal for an extra 12,000 people across the country to donate blood immediately, including 350 South Australians, as ongoing winter illnesses continue to impact donor numbers while demand for emergency blood remains high.
Supplies of O-positive, O-negative and A-positive blood have fallen in recent weeks, despite previous public appeals helping prevent stocks from reaching critical levels.
The shortage comes at a time when hospitals continue to rely heavily on blood donations. Every month, around 8,000 units of blood, plasma and platelets are issued as urgent or life-threatening orders, with some needing to be dispatched within just 30 minutes to support patients in critical situations.
Adding to the pressure, a recent Lifeblood survey found almost 40 per cent of Australians have experienced cold, flu or respiratory illness symptoms in recent weeks, making many temporarily ineligible to donate.
Lifeblood Chief Customer Officer Cath Stone shared, “Nationally we’re seeing up to 1,600 donation appointments sit empty every day, with many more people cancelling or rescheduling appointments.
“Even mild symptoms such as sniffles, sore throats, and headaches make people temporarily ineligible to give blood, and this can severely impact the availability of donors during winter months.
“We’re urging anyone who is fit and well to book an appointment now, and anyone recovering from illness to donate as soon as they can.”
Cath said while regular donors continue to play a vital role, more Australians are needed to help maintain supplies through winter.
“Only three per cent of Australians donate blood. We’re asking people not to leave it to others — our regular donors alone cannot sustain supplies through winter, and we need more people to step up.
“Patients in critical situations will always get the blood they need, but full fridges are essential to ensuring blood is available for everyone who needs it, when they need it.”
For those unsure of their blood type, Lifeblood says it’s still worth making an appointment, with more than 80 per cent of Australians having either an O or A blood type.
South Australians who are feeling fit and well are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and help replenish supplies by booking a donation through Lifeblood’s website, app or by calling 13 14 95.
State breakdown of the additional donors needed:
NATIONAL: Over 12,000
VIC: 4,500
NSW: 3,100
QLD: 3,000
WA: 1,300
SA: 350
ACT: 100
NT: 50
TAS: 50
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