Need for blood rises over Easter

Bunbury Blood Donor Centre has urged South West residents to give blood this Easter.

Picture by Jon Gellweiler: Australian Red Cross Bunbury session leader Kerry Anderson helps donor Peter Van Dijk to give blood at the Bunbury Blood Donor Centre.

More than 400 blood donations are needed in the weeks before and after Easter to ensure Australia receives the blood it needs.

Blood Service spokeswoman Kathy Bowlen called on people from Bunbury and surrounding areas to include blood donation in their Easter activities.

‘‘One way of giving the gift of life this Easter is to visit the Bunbury Blood Donor Centre before or after the long weekend and give blood,’’ she said.

‘‘One in three of us will need blood in our lifetime, yet only one in 30 donates.

‘‘You never know when it may be a loved one in need of a blood transfusion.’’

Ms Bowlen said a blood product called platelets, crucial to help treat cancer patients, had a shelf-life of just five days.

‘‘It can take blood donations from up to four people to make one dose of life-saving platelets and during the holiday season stocks can drop to critical levels quickly,’’ she said.

‘‘Donating blood can help a young mother, a grandfather or a neighbour celebrate another Easter with their families.’’

Bunbury plasma donor Peter Van Dijk donates once a fortnight and said it was a great sense of satisfaction.

‘‘I’ve donated since I was a teenager, it’s quick and easy,’’ MrVan Dijk said.

‘‘I would certainly encourage others to donate.’’

To make an appointment to donate at the Bunbury Blood Donor Centre call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.