By Salt 106.5 Network Thursday 18 Apr 2024NewsReading Time: 3 minutes

When we see others suffering, our natural response is – what can I do to help?

Key points

• “In the event of a serious trauma event or emergency, up to 100 blood donations may be needed to save just one life,” Ashleigh said.
• 1 in 3 Australians will need blood during their lifetime, but only 1 in 30 of us donate.
• Lifeblood Teams: saving lives is always a good reason to volunteer together.

Blood donations are always needed, and becoming a donor is a tangible way to provide support.

“Ultimately, you never know who’s going to be on the receiving end of a donation,” Ashleigh Hales, Group Account Manager of Donor Experience told Hope 103.2 this week.

“In the event of a serious trauma event or emergency, up to 100 blood donations may be needed to save just one life.”

We can all do something

Australia was rocked by Saturday’s Bondi incident and Monday’s event in Wakeley.

“In the event of a serious trauma event or emergency, up to 100 blood donations may be needed to save just one life,” Ashleigh said.

“Lifeblood has issued several urgent and life-threatening orders in the wake of the incident at Bondi Junction,” she said.

“Due to the additional blood needs in Sydney, we have brought in blood products from other states to support the need in NSW.

“While we do not anticipate any supply issues as a result of this event, the need for more blood donors is ongoing.”

One in three Australians will need blood during their lifetime, but only one in 30 of us donate.

On average, one in three Australians will need blood during their lifetime, but only one in 30 of us donate. To make sure we have enough blood for everyone who needs it, we need to be donating blood and plasma every five minutes – that’s around 31,000 donations every week.

Create a Lifeblood Team

Lifeblood says it best: “Saving lives is always a good reason to volunteer together.”

Start your own Lifeblood Team with colleagues, friends or family. It’s a great way to help out, while cheering each other on.

Lifeblood Teams: saving lives is always a good reason to volunteer together.

Once you’ve signed up to a Lifeblood Team, each member’s donations go towards the team’s tally. You might like to donate together, or on your own. Either way, you’re making a huge difference, and being part of something special.

Bringing tangible help

“Our teams at Lifeblood work 24/7 to ensure life-saving blood products are available when and where they are needed by patients, including those impacted by this incident.”

With all blood types needed, O negative blood in particular is always in high demand as the universal blood type that can be used in emergencies when a patient’s blood type is unknown. Unfortunately, fewer than 7% of the population are O negative, despite making up 16% of orders.

“Being a blood or plasma donor is a tangible and impactful way people can help,” Ashleigh said.

Book an appointment at your closest donor centre by visiting lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

Help is available if you need

For support contact:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (or chat online)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (or chat online)
• NSW Health’s Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
• Headspace:1800 650 890
• ReachOut at au.reachout.com
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Feature image: CanvaPro