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Working for our community.Health News
Health Pages
Australia
Needs Your
Blood
17.5.07
The gap between the number of blood donors and the number of Australians who need blood is set to widen, according to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS), unless Australians step up their efforts as blood donors.
Recent government forecasts suggest that demand for blood is expected to more than double in the next ten years.
In a national first the ARCBS will release a ëstate of the nationí report, which demonstrates the magnitude of the challenge for Australia.
"The forecast increase in demand means that Australia will need around 2 million individual blood donations each year to ensure that people, young and old, have the lifesaving products they need to survive," according to National Operations Manager, Dr Philippa Hetzel.
Currently, a little more than half a million Australian blood donors give just over 1.2 million donations.
Dr Hetzel said that the half a million donors represent around 3.5% of the eligible donor population, compared with an average of 4.4% for other comparable nations.
"Four is the magic number here," Dr Hetzel said.
"If the proportion of blood donors in Australia was equivalent to the international average, and if all those donors gave blood four times a year, then we would have sufficient donations to meet forecast demand."
"We're calling this our 4 Seasons campaign, because we're trying to educate Australians to give blood four times a year.
"This is not just a challenge for the Blood Service, but for the entire country and for all Australians.
ěTogether, as a community, we need to ensure there are sufficient blood and blood products, voluntarily given by Australia's donors, to meet the medical needs of our community,î she added.
Dr Hetzel said that to help remind Australians of the need to give blood, the Blood Service would publish updated data in each of the four seasons.
"By giving blood in each of autumn, winter, spring and summer, you will help to save up to 12 lives in one year."
Dr Hetzel emphasised that the Blood Service is not currently short of blood.
"This is a long term educational message and call to action," she said.
"If we care enough about our community to give something back to it, being a blood donor, or becoming a blood donor, is a very practical way to show it.
"You can be sure that someone needs you, and Australia needs you."
To become a blood donor visit www.donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95, and make the commitment to give blood four times a year. Australia needs you.
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