The Australian Red Cross Blood Service has issued a call to arms amid concerns supplies could drop over the Melbourne Cup holiday period.
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Bookings to donate at the Bendigo Blood Centre next Monday and Tuesday are down, putting pressure on fragile supplies of platelets used to fight cancer.
Blood service spokeswoman Shae Smith said platelets had a shelf life of only five days.
“Currently our appointments are only half full, so we’re asking people to consider hedging their bets this Melbourne Cup by donating blood, to ensure the supply of this life-saving gift,” she said.
Mrs Smith said the drop in bookings could possibly be attributed to regular donors taking the long weekend off.
She said more first-time donors were needed to keep supplies fresh.
“The Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation, but it shouldn’t be the race that stops blood donation,” she said.
Mrs Smith said more than 25,000 blood donations were needed in Australia every week.
The Bendigo Donor Centre is located at 6-8 High St.
The Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation, but it shouldn’t be the race that stops blood donation.
- Shae Smith, Blood Service spokeswoman
