Give the gift of blood this Christmas

The Red Cross is asking Bunbury residents to roll up their sleeves and donate blood leading up to Christmas.

Bunbury Blood Donor Centre manager Sue McKenzie said the Red Cross was looking for at least 400 more appointments during December to help avoid a shortage.

"On Christmas Eve we only have one appointment booked but I think we could get at least 30 people donating blood on that day, so it's concerning," she said.

"The need for blood never stops and we always need donors, even though it is Christmas."

Ms McKenzie said the blood levels at the centre were good but she was concerned the region faced a blood shortage after Christmas.

"If we don't get people booked in during the weeks leading up to Christmas then I'm afraid that we might be a bit short," she said.

"We need people to donate whole blood and plasma and we are in need of all types of blood but are always after type O negative blood."

Ms McKenzie said the festive period was always a challenging time for the Red Cross but this year seemed even tougher.

"Looking at the bookings we have this year in December, it certainly seems less busy compared to previous years," she said.

"We understand that it is the time of the year when people go on holidays but we still need the support of the community."

Ms McKenzie said most people could donate blood if they were healthy and between 18 and 70-years-old.