As many as 100,000 Australian blood donors are being sidelined with Covid as hospitals around the country report shortages of key supplies.
Some 17,500 people are urgently needed to donate blood within the next week or stocks could fall to just two days worth by midweek, according to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
The fall in stocks of A, O and B stocks has been caused by cancellations and no shows amid the cold, flu and COVID-19 season, with the Red Cross saying their reserves are set to hit the ‘lowest point since the pandemic started’.
Blood stocks are now facing a triple threat as the current flu surge, colds and COVID-19 threaten to see Lifeblood’s supplies drop to just two days,’ the organisation told Daily Mail Australia.
As many as 100,000 Australian blood donors are being sidelined with Covid as hospitals around the country report shortages of key supplies
‘Australian Red Cross Lifeblood urgently needs people to donate blood, with its own reserves set to drop in the next 24 hours to their lowest point since the pandemic started.
‘Our cancellations due to colds and flu are also the highest they have been in 3 years.’
Many countries around the world have seen donations stop as a result of the pandemic, with Australia only able to maintain supplies due to the generosity of donors.
However, an estimated 4,500 appointments are being cancelled or not attended every day around the country.
The Red Cross say 20 per cent of its regular 500,000 donors are being sidelined with Covid, and levels will reach the lowest point tomorrow with just two days of blood in stock.
The group said they ideally have four or five days of supply ready to go at all times.
‘We know people are sick with cold and flu. We know people’s children are unwell and keeping donors at home,’ Executive Director of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Cath Stone said.
The Red Cross say levels will reach the lowest point tomorrow with just two days of blood in stock. The group said they ideally have four or five days of supply ready to go at all times
‘And we know many people are still having to isolate due to COVID.
‘We are pleading with anyone who is well and healthy to book a donation today and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
‘We have 15,500 blood donations booked in for the next week, but based on current cancellations and no-shows, we know a large number of these won’t result in a donation.’
Even without cancellations, there remain thousands of appointments still to be filled, Ms Stone said.
‘Traditionally we see high numbers of no shows and cancellations during the winter months, with many regular donors unwell, but we’ve never seen numbers this high in the middle of summer,’ the Red Cross director said.
‘It’s a real challenge for blood supplies because even in the midst of a pandemic there are still cancer patients, trauma cases, pregnant women and unborn babies who all require donated blood.
‘If you are feeling well, and eligible to donate, your team needs you to get off the bench and help out now. You only need to be clear of COVID-19 symptoms for seven days to donate.’
The fall in stocks of A, O and B stocks has been caused by cancellations and no shows amid the cold, flu and COVID-19 season
She said the value of blood cannot be understated and pleaded with eligible Australians to roll up their sleeves and help restore supply levels.
‘There is no substitute for blood. Cancellations and no-shows are an ongoing problem and new donors are critical to keep supplies flowing to our hospitals.’
‘Every blood donation can help to save up to three lives.’
Senior leaders from NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW SES, NSW Police, Marine Rescue NSW, Careflight and Corrective Services NSW will today donate blood at Town Hall Blood Donor Centre on Wednesday.
They are taking part in the Emergency Services Blood Challenge, which will test the various departments of first responders and see who can donate the most blood in June.
People wanting to donate blood can book an appointment at lifeblood.com.au, on the DonateBlood app or by calling 13 14 95.
